>meanwhile
>in another place, at another time
>there comes a desperate pounding noise amidst the typical cacophony of voices and howling wind
>but the door of an unlit room holds fast
>muffled begging on the other side accompanies the quickly weakening blows
>it is a futile assault, of course
>if they do not meet the conditions for entry, no force will grant them purchase
>their pitiful calls for aid need not be answered
>even if they were so permitted, no action would be required of the inhabitants
>the disturbance outside will soon mend itself
>the roiling ocean of din beyond the door shall presently consume the source, leaving the room silent once more
>if nothing is done to stop its obliteration, that is
>those within are bound by obligation not to interfere
>and those without lack the power to change fate
>if the door is to open, it must be by the choice of another
>but agency carries with it the burden of responsibility
>to permit entry is to welcome a host of other choices for which your input will be integral
>so
>this is a very important decision
>as such, you must choose wisely
>does the door open?

>Yes
No

>and indeed, with a click, the door opens
>it swings inward slowly, as though pushed by a gentle breeze
>blue cloth spills forward in a flood from the room within, and wraps around the small equine form laying before it
>swaddled in velvet cloth, it gets dragged forward
>(or does the room move to meet it?)
>the door closes, the swirling madness beyond sealed off again
>and from within, a wistful, mysterious melody begins to play
[Velvet Room Music]
>...
>very well
>the course of events has been altered by your choice
>we ask only that you take full responsibility for those you make from here on out
>after all, thou chooseth this fate of thine own free will



>...
>"Hello."
>your eyes creak open like they've been shut for months, a vague indigo blur beginning to seep into your vision from out of the black
>every joint and muscle in your body seems to fight you as you put all your energy into pulling yourself out of a total slump
>you blink a couple times, the fuzzy blue color reluctantly beginning to show some vague definition of shape
>not much, but some
>"Ah, indeed, we received your correspondence recently and have been awaiting further communication."
>you focus on your limbs next, just looking for any response to start with
>once you can feel them shifting, getting upright seems within the realm of possibility
>slowly, you stumble to your hooves, waiting for your vision to give you something other than blue to look at
>a reedy voice, now evolving beyond just a jumble of sounds, drags and chirps syllables like somepony is playing with a record on a turn table
>"Yes, yes, completely understandable."
>the lilting sounds of piano music reach your ears as you shake your head slowly, the voice seeming to echo around the room
>the room?
>you look around, dimly realizing that the reason you can't discern much is that you're awash in a sea of blue curtains
>"That being said, it is policy that all applicants must reach a certain level of notoriety before being reconsidered."
>a short pause, and you hold up a hoof and pull the curtains to one side
>as you do, the piano's melody wavers ever so slightly, the note trembling like a leaf on the wind
>you let the curtain drop, turning in a different direction as your ears perk to a new sound
>the light and airy voice of a singer, their wordless vocalizations stirring a strange feeling in your chest
>not quite happiness, but maybe pride?
>the word escapes you
>it feels like you're half-here
>where is here, anyway?
>"My master of course appreciates your interest in the position, and will keep you in mind going forward."
>you pull at another curtain, and are rewarded with an immediate increase in volume from the piano
>the singer seems invigorated as well, and even the sapphire light that seems to permeate this place brightens a bit
>"Is there more we may assist you with at this time?"
>you take the change to be a good sign, and push a little further through, hooves finding purchase on a deep cerulean rug
>cautiously, you poke your head out
>(it feels like "out", at least)
>and suddenly, revelation
>you can see the back of a hunched figure, sat on an overstuffed couch and bent over a thick oaken roundtable, his head barely peaking over his shoulders
>the suit gives off the unmistakable air of formality, but all you can make of the one wearing it is his bald head, sparkling like a polished gem
>that and the tips of his pointed ears that jut from his head, along with a thin beige-colored rod
>further in, a grand piano sits on a slightly elevated stage, turning almost imperceptibly slow
>on its bench you see a filly with a blue coat, probably close to your age
>er, maybe they're a colt?
>their silver mane is trimmed almost distressingly short and swept back, hidden under a flat fabric cap that's pushed up by their horn
>their eyes are closed as they play their enigmatic movement, using their wings to stabilize as they move along the row of ivory
>nearby, another pony so much like the first you can barely tell them apart, save that this one has a longer mane pulled into a bun, is sat before a microphone
>their voice quavers as they sing, their golden eyes unfocused
>you notice in addition to the cap, she's wearing a pair of blue earmuffs
>you begin to wonder how they can hear themselves sing to keep on pitch--
>"Right. If that is the case,"
>the stilted voice from before, now undeniably the figure in black, interrupts your thoughts
>"I must attend to other matters: I now have a visitor."
>there's a beep, and a white-gloved finger presses the tip of the antenna down below his shoulder, before the entire couch-and-table arrangement rotates smoothly and soundlessly to face you
>wait, no
>the singer and pianist are both much closer now
>did the whole room move?
>did you move?
>the human sitting on the couch looks up to you, his long pointed nose reminding you of a bird of prey
>his wild, bulging eyes seem to take you in from hoof to head in a single glance, a rictus grin spreading across his face
>"Ah, greetings!"
>the slender gloved fingers adjust a pocket square in his breast pocket, before extending a hand to beckon you closer
>"Welcome, visitor; it would seem introductions are in order."
>"My name is Igor. I am most pleased to make your acquaintance."
>he gives as deep a bow as his sitting position allows and then sweeps his arms out
>much to your surprise you spot another young alicorn to his right, their deep gold eyes staring directly into yours
>their expression is unreadable, but something about their gaze is a little off-putting
>his other hand gestures over towards the pair of musicians, who continue their performance
>they seem oblivious to the fact they were mentioned
>"These three are Felix, Safie, and Agatha. Like myself, they reside here in the Velvet Room."
>"It is a place that resides between mind and matter, between dream and reality."
>"However, your presence here is most unexpected. I am afraid that before we continue, we must address the matter of your arrival."
>"Please take a moment, before recollecting to the best of your ability."
>you begin to open your mouth, before you're stricken with a realization
>how exactly did you get here, again?
>the more you probe your memory, the more distressing it gets
>ponies, places, events
>it's like ten details melt away whenever you grasp onto one
>okay
>start with the basics
>your name
>that's easy, your name is...


Apple Bloom
>Scootaloo
Sweetie Belle


>of course!
>didn't even need to hesitate, your name is

-Sweet Apple Acres-
Cutie Mark Crusaders Clubhouse

>"Scootaloo!"
"Hey, sorry I'm late!"
>you lay your scooter down on the grass and trot up the ramp to the treehouse, wiping a bead of sweat from your brow
>you'd rushed over as soon as you finished Ms. Cheerilee's homework
>normally you'd think about putting it off, but today's special
>can't let anything interfere
>so you wave up at your friends, Sweetie Belle and Applebloom, still trying to catch your breath a little as you walk into the clubhouse
>the place is still a bit of a mess, but when wasn't it?
>you clear a spot at the table, pushing the tiny brushes, scissors, and tubes of paint to one side
>AB wasn't quite done painting the OZ-00MS yet, so you carefully pick it up and put it on the shelf for her to finish later
>"Alright y'all, let's go ahead'n call this meeting officially to order!"
>Apple Bloom says, banging the gavel on the self-built podium with a serious expression
>it's undercut by the small squeaking noise that comes from the impact
>you're still using the toy mallet Button had given you all after earning those tickets at the arcade
>(Cutie Mark Crusader Operation: Carpenters hadn't turned out so well, and you're still waiting for Whittle Olmy to cool off a bit before asking to use her tools again to make a real one)
>but the three of you still give it all the gravity it deserves
>which means Sweetie Belle stops rearranging the deck of cards you'd been trying to stack into a house yesterday
>you put the caps on the pink paint tube and put your forehooves on the table, now fully ready
>"First order'a business: we're all here, right?"
>you look to Sweetie and nod seriously
>she nods sharply to Apple Bloom
>and for confirmation, Bloom nods over to you
>"Right!"
>"Right!"
"Right!"
>she checks the box on the meeting agenda, smiling proudly
>looking back up, she continues
>"Second thing: Any old business?"
>you think for a few seconds before raising a hoof
"We did that class with Nurse Redheart!"
>"Oh yeah, she said we were really enthusiastic about the CPR part!"
>"Ah'm not sure that's quite what she wanted though..."
>"She couldn'ta thought we did too bad, we got lollipops at the end!"
"And gauze, too."
>"Enough fer a costume, even!"
>Applebloom smiles to herself, clearly thinking of how to fit it into her ensemble for tonight
>speaking of
"Oh yeah, Sweetie, did you get permission from your sister to finish your costume with her sewing machine?"
>"Well, no..."
>she shrugs but doesn't seem too perturbed
>"But she did say she'd help me with it!"
>you give a little hoof pump, so excited for evening to get here that your wings start to flutter
"Awesome! I got mine put together last night."
>"An' Granny said she'd help me puttin' on my spoOoOoOoky makeup 'fore we meet up!"
>you nod appreciatively, but then a sudden thought makes you perk up
"Oh, right! I narrowed down the options some, with Pinkie's help and a little scouting of my own."
>it's tough to completely hide the proud smirk you have as you trot over to the easel
>you flip the paper back, a layout of Ponyville's major streets and neighborhoods already drawn up
>the map is labeled 'Cutie Mark Crusaders Operation: Costumed Candy and Confection Collectors'
>and below it in purple you'd added 'Nightmare Night!!!' and a totally wicked drawing of Nightmare Moon
>(please excuse the crudity of the model, you didn't have time to build it to scale or paint it)
>judging by the impressed looks on Bloom and Belle's faces, it definitely passes muster
"So, first I talked with Pinkie Pie, because duh, who knows better than her what neighborhoods passed out the best candy last year?"
>you point to a blob of houses you colored in green, over near High Horse Hills
"She said the ponies in Triple-H give out the full-sized bars, but the yards are so big you have to run the whole night to get to everyone. Caballo Court, on the other hoof, is way easier to trot and they give out big bunches at each house, so you wind up getting more in the long run."
>"That is all the way 'cross town," Apple Bloom points out, "so we might not have time to stop in some of the other places we were talkin' about goin'. Haven't heard anyone at school talkin' about going there either."
>"Maybe we could go with the Riches or the Spoons? Silver said her mom got a golf kart a couple months ago."
"I thought about that, but they both said their parents are going to 'a big dumb boring party', and Silver's not allowed to borrow it on her own. She said they might be able to get out early and join us, though?"
>all three of you let out a little groan, because you know they'd probably rather be out trick or treating all night
>(also because driving a golf kart would be really cool, and you really want to know how fast those babies can go)
>but you pep up, clearing your throat and calling everyone's attention back to the map
"Second, though, I was talking to Carrot Top, and she said they were planning on going all out at the market this year!"
>you point at the area in purple, that wraps around most of the center of town
"Like, the normal stuff is still there, apple bobbing, spider throws, Zecora's magic show, but she said there were going to be all sorts of new things, too: watergun shooting galleries, ring toss, free snacks, clowns! She said there'd be a lot of clowns!"
>you think back for a second
"She was actually really focused on the clowns. And then she got this really weird look on her face, like-- oh, yeah, like that!"
>you point at Sweetie Belle, who shakes her head quickly
>maybe she was thinking about something?
>"That sounds like a barrel o' fun, like a carnival and Nightmare Night rolled into one!"
>"But we might get less candy if we go there," Sweetie almost squeaks out, "so maybe not...?"
>that's a pretty good point, you'll have to ration the candy way more to make it to Hearthswarming if you go to the stalls
"Hmmmm..."
>you gesture again, but this time not to the map
>instead, you point out at the orchard itself, where you can see clothes lines with sheets draped over them tied between the trees
"And there's the maze that Big Mac and some of the other ponies have been putting together, we shouldn't forget about that!"
>normally the Amazing Maize Maze was held over near Hayseed's, but thanks to a recent Ankheg infestation, the maze would've been difficult to set up in the usual spot this year
>the Apples are pitching in to help instead, and even if it's a little haphazard, you've seen how much work they put in over the last couple days
>"That'd be super easy to get to, and if it's anything like the one last year, there's all sorts of candy stations along the way!"
>"Ah dunno, was kinda hopin' to see everyone's costumes and such, and what with everyone plannin' at the house, Ah couldn't help but see or overhear most of 'em," Apple Bloom admits
>"Not that Ah mind, there's bound to be plenty of folk come by in all sorts of get-ups!" she continues
>hmm, decisions decisions
>the three of you are bound to have fun no matter where you go
>but you'll have to choose something
>after all, Nightmare Night only comes once a year, right?
>so, where should you plan to meet up?


>Caballo Court
The Carnival of Candy
The Applabrynth


>"If'n we go ta Caballo Court, we're bound to run into ponies in all sorts of fun costumes, so ya won't hear no complaints from me!"
>Apple Bloom says after a moment's thought
>"Plus if Pinkie says it's a good spot, we can't go wrong," Sweetie agrees
"I'm hoping we can get DT and Silver out of sitting with their parents all night,"
>you admit, not wanting to show too much bias for any one idea
>but the three of you are all on the same page, so it's hard not to sound a little excited
>after all, this is Nightmare Night!
>dressing up, visiting spooky houses, getting candy, and seeing your friends and neighbors go all out in the spirit of the season!
>Apple Bloom raps the squeaky-mallet on the podium a couple times, and puts her serious face back on
>"Right, then Ah think we're all in agreement. Caballo Court, near that big ol' sign at the entrance? Six thirty? All in favor?"
>"Yeah!"
"Yay!"
>"Alright!"
>she hits it again, letting out a little giggle at the 'squeak-a' noise it makes
>maybe you don't need to hurry so much on trying to carve a wooden one to replace it
>"Should we adjourn now? Still got some time 'fore we have to head out,"
>she volunteers, looking up at the clock hung over the door
>you look at it too, doing a couple quick calculations in your head
>20 minutes to get home, another 20 to get dressed, 15 to get to the meet-up spot, plus dinner...
>hmm
>you've got some time, Bloom's right
"I'll hang out for a while, maybe we can try to finish that game of Risk?"
>Sweetie shakes her head a little sadly as she moves towards the door
>"I should get home so me and Rarity can work on my costume, but thanks!"
>"No problem, Scoots an' I'll work on our own stuff for a bit then."
>the two of you wave goodbye to Sweetie, Apple Bloom retrieving the tiny humanoid model from its shelf while you finish what Belle started, shuffling the cards a few times and setting up for a game of solitaire
>you pass a few minutes in silence together, the setting sun making it difficult to see the cards
>from the sounds Bloom's making, it's also tough to see the joints of the Tallgeese
>as you put the seven of hearts on the eight of clubs, a thought crosses your mind
>you look up at the clock and then out the window to the apple fields
"Wait, is Babs coming?"
>"Nah, family reunion isn't until spring, why?"
"...Just wondering."
>something about today feels a little off, but you can't quite put your hoof on it
>but you shrug it off
>strange things happen all the time in Ponyville
>can't worry about it too much, right?
>besides, whatever happens, happens
>four of spades to five of diamonds...

-Caballo Court-
Sundown

>you adjust the cap on your costume, putting on your best vicious grin
>at least, you think it's pretty vicious
>you've only seen like one wolf, and it was a timberwolf, so you're mostly going on instinct here
>but yeah, faux fur and some cloth make a killer outfit, actually
>a couple pointers from Rarity and a little thrifting and you had a good base, and everything else was just polish
>you spot the enormous sign near the subdivision, only a couple years old but painted to look old and weathered, and see Bloom and Belle standing right nearby
>the three of you had talked about it earlier, but you're still surprised by the actual results
>Apple Bloom opted for a Frankenstein's Bride costume, and Granny Smith laid the makeup on thick, because the dark shadows under her eyes, the fake stitches, and the face paint all have that theater-style overdone look
>it does look really good, though, like she just walked out of a black-and-white movie
>Sweetie is killing it too, obviously having borrowed some costume jewelry from her sister in addition to getting some help with the dress
>you can't remember which Prancian princess it was supposed to be, but judging by the red line around her neck, she must not have been one for too long
>the blood effect is pretty realistic, too, less overt but somehow more creepy since you notice more and more details as you approach
>"Heya Scoots!"
>"Scootaloo!"
"Hey girls, awesome costumes!"
>"You too! Hehe, the button eyes look so cute!"
>"An' you really got the walk down, too!"
"Haha..."
>is it a little warmer out just now, or is it you?
"Anyway! You haven't been here too long, right?"
>"Nah, just got here a couple minutes ago."
>"Here's your bag, Scootaloo!"
>Sweetie digs into her own and pulls out an empty sack, handing it over to you
>you rest it over your back, still smirking in a mix of anticipation and pride
"Alright, then! Let's get moving!"
>the three of you put your hooves together for a quick cheer
"Cutie Mark Crusaders, Candy Collectors!"
>and with that the three of you break into a sprint, eager to get in as much trick-or-treating as one night will allow

-Caballo Courts Northern Section-
Evening

>"Nightmare Night, such a fright, give me something sweet to bite!"
>you all give the usual rhyme, Ms. Roseluck playing up the tradition more than you'd have expected
>she acts terrified, peeking out from her doorway and letting out an overdone gasp
>"Oh my, a wolf, a ghost, AND a zombie!"
>she rustles around with something behind the door, before giving you all a grin and offering out a bowl of candy
>"I sure hope a treat like this will stave them off long enough for me to get back inside!"
>the three of you giggle before reaching in for a bar of candy each
>oh, nice!
>a Mega-Snap, those are like the second-best ones, after Chuckles bars
>you saw Pinkie zoom by a few minutes ago, and she was definitely on to something coming here
>(you'd have tried to say hi, but 'zoom' is the exact right word for it, you only knew it was her because the streak of motion had a pink hue on it)
"Thank you Ms. Roseluck!"
>"Yeah, thanks!"
>"Thank you very much!"
>she waves you off, going right back to pretend-scared in an instant
>"Don't thank me, silly spirits, just go haunt someone else, now!"
>and with a wink and a smile, she slips back inside
>you toss it in with the rest of your haul so far as you walk back to the road

Obtained: Mercury Bar
Obtained: 1-Googolplex Bar
Obtained: Faerie Stix
Obtained: Box of Dweebs
Obtained: Mega-Snap Bar

>a pretty sizable collection, you note
>sure, there were a couple of houses with their lights off already, and Mrs. Goldie Delicious gave you something you're not sure counts as food, never mind a treat
>but your bag is almost a quarter full of high-quality sugar-rush material
>suddenly, you feel someone push past you
>maybe "push" isn't quite the right word, as they seem to slip between you and AB like a snake, causing the coat on the back of your neck to stand on end
>"Ah, don't mind me, Medium Nice Wolf, and-- whoop! My apologies, Missus Fronkensteen!"
[Sailor Moon Theme Song]
>you look up slowly, by now knowing to be cautious when even looking at him
>the gems and metal bits of his costume let off a dangerous glint, and his eyes glow with the unmistakable glint of mischief and madness
>and you find yourself face-to-face with the ever impressive, the long-contained, often imitated but never-duplicated...!
"Discord!"
>"Discord?"
>"Discord."
>each of you have different reactions to him, but when you notice his outfit, you're all in agreement
"Wait, what are you wearing?"
>"Oh, this little old number?"
>the draconequus gives a little spin, you have to assume so you an all admire his handiwork
>"Don't be jealous girls, I've learned the power of friendship and, oh, just couldn't wait to show it off!"
>he wipes a big floppy tear from his eye with one claw, before flicking it to the ground
>it makes a sizzling sound as you watch it eat through a chunk of Roseluck's yard
>"..."
>"Not buying it, huh?"
>his almost painful-looking grin drops after a couple seconds, before giving you his much more typical, predatory smile
>"I just figured it'd be an appropriate outfit, given the date. Maybe not my first choice of activities, but I've been told in no uncertain terms not to disturb the Queen of the Mooninites, or I'll be sent to make mochi with Jerome for the night, if you get what I'm saying."
>he nudges Sweetie in the side with his elbow, waggling his eyebrows
>you all shake your heads slowly
>"Ugh, kids these days... well, I suppose not everybody can be cultured, like yours truly."
>"Yeah, that's usually reserved fer rare diseases," you hear Apple Bloom mutter under her breath
"Aw, come on Apple Bloom, you don't think his humor's a little infectious?"
>you chuckle
>"Scoots..." Sweetie shakes her head, but she's smiling too
>either Discord doesn't hear you, though, or he's chosen to ignore it, because he just arches an eyebrow at your group
>"Well, in ANY case, I suppose it's only friendly to make the offer: care to make a trade?"
>he grips his midsection with his tail and gives it a spin, his entire top half whirling like a top as it screws open and leans back on a pair of hinges
>"I may have visited some 'different' neighborhoods before coming over here, so pick at your own risk."
>he leans back to the point his head's right-side up again and puts the world's least necessary airquotes over 'different' before gesturing at the bowlful of candy nestled in the bottom half of his body
>what do you think?
>whether they're good is anyone's guess, but he does have some unique options in there


>Trade candy with the chaos god, you know it's going to be an experience
Keep to the stuff you know that lifeforms on this planet can eat


>you look over the selection of confections Discord's offering, brushing aside a few of the stranger-looking ones you have no doubt he's looking to unload on you
>no matter what exact flavor "Homework: The Candy" has, you're sure it's not for you
>same with the box of "Bernard Bottomshire's Absolutely Every Flavor Imaginable Beans"
>the fact that there's a note on the packaging that says 'With Returning Long-Time Favorites Cadmium and Schnozzberry' doesn't really sell you on that one
>go figure
>but you do spot something that doesn't sound overly foul
"Huh, where'd you get this one?"
>you hold up a candy with loopy, almost illegibly-fancy labeling called "Never-Ending Mouthblocker"
>the draconequus peeks his head around himself, holding up a magnifying glass to look at what you're holding
>"Ah, keen eye! I found it in a place with lots of terra cotta rooves, what was the name of it...?"
>he strokes his goatee a bit, muttering some weird chant about how 'there's no earthly way of knowing which direction we are going'
>"Oh, don't worry about it, I promise it's as safe as anything local!"
>he waves it off dismissively
>"Well, for that one I'll trade youuu, let's see... no chocolate for me, I'm trying to watch my figure,"
>he says to himself, reaching blindly into your bag and rustling around with one clawed hand
>"No, no, maybe, no, UGH no,... ah, here we go!"
>Discord pulls his paw back, holding a glowing red feather in his fingers
>"Whoops, don't mind that, I meant..." he plunges his hand back in and scrounges around for a second
>"This!"
>looks like he wants the Faerie Stix you got a couple houses back
>you don't mind, the powdery ones like Dunkin' Spoonz and Faerie Stix were never your favorite anyway
>you give him a nod, and the two of you shake on it

Obtained: Never-Ending Mouthblocker
Lost: Faerie Stix

>you also spot Sweetie poking around the bowl as well
>Apple Bloom seems a little less enthusiastic about trading though
>something that unfortunately Discord picks up on immediately
>"Oh, what's wrong, Apple Blossom? Almost none of it's pear-flavored, if that's what you're worried about."
>"Apple Bloom. An' y'all know Ah don't trust ya as far as I can buck ya."
>"Doh-ho-ho, come now, are we still not over that harmless little--"
>"Don't."
>"Eesh, fine. For the record, you've no idea just how ssssssssnake-like I can be."
>he flicks a serpentine tongue at her as he rasps out the "s", before turning his attention to Sweetie
>looks like she's opted for one of those Flame Orb hard candies
>you see him whisper in her ear, and they go back and forth for a moment before she reluctantly pulls out a green tube wrapped in wax paper
>oh right, they DO still make Panzerschreck Gum
>it always loses its flavor way too fast
>whether that's a good thing is a matter of taste, but... you don't blame Sweetie for trading it off, yourself
>your trades completed, he closes himself up with a creeeeeaaaak and a slam, twirling the lollipop in his hand in place of a wand
>"Well, I won't keep you girls all night, I'm sure you've got places to be and things to do~"
>he strikes a pose, a casade of stars and lights flaring up behind him as he gives you a peace sign
>you're pretty sure that's a little emblem and some Neighponese text you see out of the corner of your eye
>"But just call me, beep me, if you want to reach me!"
>the light fades away along with his theme music as he walks away from you, humming the tune to himself
>you start to say something, but on second thought decide against it
>he's just messing with you all
>and you can't get mad at him for that
>(who are you kidding, you totally can, but getting mad at Discord for being Discord is probably the only thing crazier than the old draconequus himself)
"Are we ready to get back to it?"
>everyone agrees, so you take up leading the charge this time
>"Ah saw a whole bunch'a folks headed toward the neighborhood proper, so if we're lookin' to avoid too many crowds, we could go 'round the outside an' try to get to the south part?"
>Apple Bloom holds a hoof up to her chin as she thinks about the layout
>"But those houses are where most ponies came in from, aren't they going to start running out of candy soon? The ones with the most candy left are going to be the really scary ones..."
>Sweetie brings up a good point too
>you'll probably still be able to get to both areas before the end of the night, but what (and how much) candy you get might change depending on where you go

>what do you think?


Brave the crowds and head towards the center
>Brave the haunted houses and make your way south


>a look of intense determination crosses your face
"Let's go south. If we're right, then there's going to be some awesome houses that are probably looking to unload their candy, right?"
>Apple Bloom takes a second to think it over before agreeing with you, nodding resolutely
>"Well... okay..."
>Sweetie reluctantly agrees, adjusting the wig she's wearing a little
>you trot up and put a foreleg around her comfortingly
"Don't worry, it's just going to be a bunch of music tracks and maybe some silly masks and stuff, it can't be THAT scary."
>you reassure her, and she gives you a smile in thanks
>"Yeah, you're right! Okay, let's go!"
>Apple Bloom gives her a little hug as well, before the three of you trot off together, you and Bloom on either side of Belle
>you take a narrow side street that curves around the central hub of the neighborhood, a light mist beginning to set in now that the sun's been set for a little while
>it certainly sets the ambiance, you can't help but think, as you approach a road that winds through most of the southern part of Caballo Court

-Caballo Court, Southern Section-
Night

>"Pleeeeeease... have... a seat..."
>you hear who you're pretty sure has to be Savoir Faire, going by the accent alone
>but you don't actually see him, and that does worry you a bit
>the way to his front door is lined with a sloppy dark red stain, and it has the distinct look of something being dragged up the driveway through it
>you can also see in the dim porchlight a long brown burlap sack laying to one side of the door, covered in that same red goo on one side
>and a table, set for fine dining with a silver covered tray taking up most of the center
>lastly, on the other side of the door is a bowl of candy, perched on a tiny second table with an almost comically fancy "Free Candy" sign in front of it
>you lead the way up to the house, both Sweetie and AB hanging back just a little
>staying between the trees that line the path forward, you accidentally step in a bit of the crimson stuff, letting out a shudder as your hoof makes contact with the warm, liquidy puddle
"Eugh..."
>you steady yourself, wiping it off on the grass nearby and continuing the approach
>"Do... come forward... we'd love... to have you... for DINNER."
>he intones, the word bouncing and echoing through the misty air
>you try to keep your breathing slow, but walking up with your eyes glued on the gory-looking sack, it's really a little hard to concentrate on that
>every once in a while, you chance a look at the covered tray, not sure which one the waiter might pop out of to try and startle you
>you just know as soon as you go past there and get close enough to the bowl, he's going to jump out from one of them
>but you take a deep breath and trot past, almost squinting you're so focused on spotting the first sign of movement
>slowly you reach a hoof out for the bowl--
>"Ah, ah, ah..."
>his voice is coming from all around you
>no
>above you, you realize as you look up and notice the cobwebs with decorative spiders where his voice seems to echo from
>"You know... the rules... no dessert..."
>!
>the porch suddenly goes quiet as the grave, as a long shadow falls over the three of you
>you turn to see him drop from the overhang in a chef's apron, covered in blood and holding a butcher's knife in his muzzle
>"...until you finish your meat, my little morsels."
>his howling cackle mixes with your and Apple Bloom's confused screaming as you back away from him, all three of you scrambling for the corner of the porch as he stomps toward you
>"And now... NOW... that I have you RIGHT WHERE I WANT YOU...!"
>his psychotic laughter gives way to a pleasant chuckle and gives a nonchalant nod in the bowl's direction
>"You'd be doing me quite the favor if you'd take some candy off my hooves."
>
>
>
>you, uh
>actually forgot for a second there
>that this was just a jape
>you actually feel a little queasy as you take a hoofful of sweets
>"Oh, no no, come now, you'll want a bit more than that, surely? You know you're only the third group to come up all night!"
>"Ah can't imagine why..."
>you scoop a little more candy into your bag, Sweetie seeming almost serene as she collects her share
>"Thanks Mr. Faire."
>if it weren't for the fact that you can faintly hear her hyperventilating, you wouldn't have believed she was even surprised
>"Tell the others to pop by, when they're ready!"
>he calls after you as you all
>you nod distractedly as you walk back down the driveway

Obtained: Full-Size Chuckles Bar
Obtained: Ms. Greatbar
Obtained: Suc-Pop

>from behind you, you hear two sounds almost simultaneously
>a squeak of terror
>and a sound that can only be described as a
DOOT-DOOT
>and you see Sweetie blow right past you
>you shoot a glare over your shoulder, and spot a filly dressed as a
>skeleton?
>a clown?
>is "skeleton clown" even a real costume?
>"Er... sorry?" she appologizes, waving sheepishly and picking up the horn she'd dropped cutting across Savoire's yard
>you run to catch up with Sweetie, not that she made it too much further than the road proper
"You alright?"
>you pat her gently on the back and let her take a few wheezing breaths
>she nods but doesn't say anything, sitting down on the curb for a second
>"I think... maybe doing all the really creepy ones at the same time was..."
>she cools herself off with one of the decorative fans Rarity stuck in the dress's folds
>you see Apple Bloom come running up a second later, and all three of you take a small rest together
>"That was... wow."
>she mutters, looking into her bag of treats, giving it a hefty shake as she weighs the options in her mind
>"Ah think Ah'm about done with the spook houses now, Scoots," she admits
>oh thank Celestia
>the first couple were pretty fun, with zombies and fake lightning and stuff, but the deepening fog and the ambiance of the last couple has really been getting to you too
>Lyra's in particular, with its hands groping out the windows at you as you approached the door, really unnerved you just for how realistic some of the digits were
>"Hey there, girls."
>you look up and see a couple bipedal creatures approaching from out of the mist
>each one is dressed up in a dark black suit, but from the neck up, you can see the unmistakable outline of an equine profile
>"Scootaloo!"
>"'Eeeeey, it's our favorite chickun!"
>"She's actually a wolf this year."
>"Wow, that really threw me for a lupe!"
>none of the gentlemen in horse-masks says anything for a second, explicitly NOT laughing
>"Get it? Lupe, like lupine?"
>"Oh yeah, we got it. Didn't want it, but we got it."
>"Hey, don't hound him about it."
>"Emps, I swear to god..."
>"Don't worry, we've already made two puns, 'kay? Nine is the limit."
"Hey guys!"
>you pipe up before one of them gets too far into putting the other in a headlock
"What are you all doing out here?"
>it's tough to hear any one answer over all the others as the Arcanons all pipe up at the same time.
>"Well there was this-"
>"Hermit just got off work-"
>"-thought we'd check out-"
>"--came back from our yearly-"
>"-and then Temperance thought-"
>"-fucking Mary--"
>"-SUPER haunted--"
>"-a little too much to drink--"
>"-Tiara DEMANDED he come with-"
>"--said, 'Oatmeal? Are you crazy?'"
>they all peter out a couple seconds apart
>hmm
>you shake your head, the craziness of their squad already pushing memories of the haunted houses from your head as Sweetie and AB giggle at their antics
"That sounds… fun? Hey, did any of you see Emperor today?"
>they look back and forth at each other, plastic horse masks flopping back and forth as they exchange glances
>and then there's a chorus of flappa-flappa-flappa as they all shake their heads
>"Think he said he was working on something with Hanged Man?"
>"I know he was working on a costume, you girls haven't seen him tonight? I'd figure this would be his jam."
>you shrug, a little worry creeping into your thoughts
>"If we see him, we'll send him your way,"
>one of them gives you a reassuring thumbs up
"Thanks. We're probably going to be out a little longer, but after this I think we're going to reconvene at the clubhouse. Let him know for us?"
>"For sure."
"We appreciate it."
>you trot back and rejoin your friends as the group of men let their attention wander
>"Yo, check out that one!"
>"Dude, that's pretty spoopy for a pony haunted house."
>"Looks like something out of Dark Souls!"
>"It really doesn't, but let's check it out anyway."
>Sweetie seems to be calmed down, and Bloom looks better-rested, as the three of you take to your hooves
>"We still on fer finishin' out the night?"
>Sweetie nods in agreement
>"Yeah, sorry for kind of freaking out. I'm okay now!"
"Nothing to apologize for, we probably shouldn't have tried to do all of them in a row... sorry if we pushed too hard to get through all of them."
>"It's okay, I just needed a quick rest. Let's close this night out right!"
>she smiles and gives a little cheer, all three of you trotting towards the center of the neighborhood
>"Nightmare Night, what a fright, give me something sweet to bite!"
>you can hear some other fillies and colts just ahead as you trot into the dark of night

-Caballo Court, Central Section-
Night

>Apple Bloom leads the way down another short cul-de-sac, the three of you strolling at a leisurely pace
>you've noticed porch lights slowly beginning to wink out as the night wears on, even as more stars seem to glint through the encroaching fog
>but truth be told?
>this is kind of nice, too
>the candy isn't much to write home about, here, but you've run into a surprising number of colts and fillies from school
>Pip went by a little while ago, dressed up in a blue jump suit with some fancy yellow numbering on the back
>his squirt gun made out of pipe was a neat prop
>you noticed he didn't seem to be out with anyone else, but he reassured you that he enjoys wandering alone on Nightmare Night
>Button's costume was amazing, you had to admit, as was his mom's
>you wonder to yourself how she got those cardboard wings to light up like that, and his skull mask had these lights in the sockets that you're not sure how they glow while he's looking out of them
>but it is looking like you're getting to near the end of the night

Obtained: Fruit-by-the-Meter Roll-Up

>and that kind of sucks, because you were really hoping to--
>"Hey, what's up girls!"
>you perk up, hearing a familiar voice behind you and the tell-tale patter of hooves touching down
>Rainbow Dash leans down for a second to take off her helmet, brushing her mane back and letting out a sigh
"Rainbow Dash! Hey!"
>you run up and hug the mare, happy you got to see her with all the other stuff she was doing tonight
>she gives your wolf-hat and the mane underneath it a tousle in return, before nuzzling you back
>"Whoa! Where'd you get that stash from?"
>she sounds impressed as she looks at the three of you and your stuffed bags of candy at your sides
>"Well, we kinda took a chance on some of the houses other folks weren't goin' to, and it paid off," Apple Bloom explains
>"Scootaloo was the one that helped us push through some of the tougher ones," Sweetie chimes in, patting you on the back lightly
"It was a group effort, and you two came up with the idea."
>you blush faintly from the praise, but Dash lets out a low whistle
>"Wow, that's awesome though! I think you all might even have more than I do! Might have to check the south side again..."
>she sounds genuinely impressed, and given how Dash could probaly hit any house in town in under 10 seconds, your pride can't help but swell
"Want to join us? We're still going to hit a couple more houses before we call it a night,"
>you offer, nodding towards the other two
"Although, we were going to go by Triple-H and visit Tiara and Spoon, if that changes anything."
>she seems to weigh the options in her mind, before looking at the collection in her saddlebag
>"Mmmmm... sure, let's do it! The Riches are doing that big party on Dreary, so it's--"
>you pick up the sound of something streaking down the street like lightning, and on instinct jump out of the way
>not half a second later, you see Pinkie go flying by, and just barely make out over the sound of her rocketing past
>"Two thirty-five!"
>that doesn't mean anything to you, but you've scarcely managed to process it when Dash shouts to the dust cloud she left
>"Wha- are you serious?!"
>you cock your head to one side, confused
>"Oh, Pinkie challenged me to a candy-collecting contest. Well... kind of. Okay, maybe I challenged her, technically."
>"But she's already at 235?! She wasn't even at 200 the last time!"
>you roll your eyes, but can't help but smile nonetheless
"Well, you aren't going to beat her standing here talking to us, right?"
>she gives you an apologetic look, but you go ahead and wave her off
>you two share another quick hug, and she's already up in the air
>"Say hi to those two for me, I guess,"
>she winks at you as she takes flight, leaving a rainbow trail behind her that cuts through the fog
>you look over at the neighborhood exit that leads to the much more modern and luxurious houses in High Horse Hills
>it really is past time to see if you all can bust Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon out of their Nightmare Night party prison
>so into the night you three go, the sounds of fake lightning and real whistling wind at your backs as you sally forth
>...

-High Horse Hills?-
Late Night

>...
>it's really weird here, you note to yourself
>not the crazy-elaborate mansions with all sorts of ivory and decorations, mind
>those actually feel pretty comforting, by comparison
>it's more that the moment you crossed the threshold of the wrought-iron fence and brick entryway into the neighborhood, something has felt off
>the fog has gotten so thick you could cut it with a knife, and some of the roads look downright alien
>but the strangest thing is the sound
>you didn't even notice it, at first, with the chatting you and Apple Bloom were doing about Crusader activities for next month
>but when Sweetie pointed it out, you couldn't ignore it anymore
>things seem to echo in this neighborhood, everything from hooffalls to voices
>but none of it sounds like you expect it to
>it's like listening to a recording of yourself saying something
>there aren't that many lights on anymore, and even if you could believe that that's because people are starting to go to bed or just aren't home, it doesn't feel right
"Okay... I'm not crazy, right? This place is messed up?"
>you finally say out loud, the conversation having stifled itself in the strange atmosphere a moment ago
>you look back at Belle and Bloom for confirmation, and they both nod in agreement
>"This don't feel right, Ah've helped my sister deliver here more'n once, but Ah don't think I've seen half of these houses before tonight."
>?
>you look up at the looming mansion you're currently walking by, searching your memory for who lived there
>the building itself is one you can recall clearly
>but then you realize, you don't think you've seen anyone go into this house
>ever
>"It's more than that, haven't we been walking for a while now? Sure, it's late, but... where are all the other ponies?"
>that actually makes you slow down considerably
>wait, when DID you last pass someone in this fog?
>you definitely crossed paths with a couple fillies before you got to this neighborhood, but...
>have you seen anyone since then?
>how did you get this far before you even noticed?
[The Place]
>...!
>you freeze in place, reaching out and grabbing your two friends before diving for the dirt!
>they start to protest, but you just motion to stay quiet and point upwards
>and a couple seconds later, your instinct proves correct
>the world goes a couple shades darker for a few seconds, and you look up to see the hazy outline of five creatures gliding across the spotlight of the full moon
>they're too far up to make out any definite features through the fog, but you'd swear they have draconic wings
>the three of you stand cautiously once they've faded into the dark of night, whispering to keep from drawing attention
>"What'n the hay was THAT?"
"Dragons? What would they be doing this far west?"
>"They looked small, for dragons..."
>"No, wait, those're Princess Luna's guards!"
>now that Apple Bloom says it out loud, she's right, that has to be who those were
>but a whole flight of them? Nothing that dangerous could be going down right now, could it?
"Wonder if they're looking for someone?"
>you muse out loud, looking around and hoping quietly to yourself that you'll see a landmark to help find your way
>what you don't expect to see, though, is a pair of ponies standing behind you, looking directly at the three of you from behind some goofy masks
>well, at least you're all not totally alone
>it's good to see someone dressed up in costume
>they start walking slowly towards you as you point them out, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle turning to face them
>"Oh! Thank Celestia, we were getting worried,"
>Sweetie says, pulling the fan from her costume and using it to cool herself under the wig and all that fabric
>"Yeah, it's been more'n a minute since... er..."
>Apple Bloom's voice falters as they trot closer, and you get a closer look at their outfits
>blocky, tough-looking armor coovers large parts of their bodies, and their manes and tails are trimmed short
>but you can't pull your eyes away from the masks they're wearing, completely encasing their heads in plated armor
>cutting through the fog are four bars of green light, all in a row, each burning in one of the masks' eyes as their ragged breaths rasp out
"Um, girls...?"
>you see the lights flash briefly as they stare you down
>simultaneously out of the corner you see a lime line of light slide from the top of Bloom's wig to the bottom of her hoof
>a split-second later, one scans Sweetie as well
>and then the green lights flicker and turn red
>that clinches it
"...RUN!"
>you see the larger of the two lurch forward, and all three of you book it!
>you keep pace with your friends, the three of you putting as much space as you can between you and the lockstep hoffalls of the masked ponies close behind
>you don't know what'll happen if those two masked ponies catch you, but you're not going to wait around and find out
>Bloom takes a hard left, and you follow her closely, Sweetie right on your heels as you sprint!
>after a few minutes of breakneck running, you chance a look behind, and though you can still see the glow of the mask eyes through the fog, they seem to periodically snap to the left, then right, like they're searching
>so you take a chance, and sprint ahead of AB, wordlessly guiding both of them across a long yard to an enormous garden hedge
>and without even hesitating, dash headlong into it, resisting the urge to let out a shout as you feel the branches snap against your weight
>a second later, you feel the enormous plant shake as Apple Bloom jumps in after you, her wig getting knocked off in the process
>and a second after that, a third rustle as Sweetie Belle jumps in too
>everyone waits quietly, pressed in on one another as you hear the thundering stomps of the two ponies stampede by
>you see one pair, then the other, of red lights sweep through the mist, but they don't even slow as they pass your hiding spot
>still, you can't all help but lay still, breathing heavily and giving those creeps plenty of time to get well away from you all
>as you're laying there, though, you feel Sweetie start shifting around, her nervous movements quickly turning into a full-on panic!
>she gets the first part of a yelp out before Bloom slaps a hoof over her mouth
>she freaks out, swatting at her dress while a lump underneath it slips this way and that, before scurrying up her side and to the collar of her outfit!
>out from under the aqua-colored cloth pops a tiny creature, no taller than your forehoof, electric-blue and black and buzzing like a mosquito!
>but you notice after a second's pause that it's actually equine in shape, its sharp legs and curled antennae reminding you of something between a Breezie and a Changeling
>it crawls up the side of Sweetie's face, earning a muffled shriek as it skitters right past her eye, before perching delicately on her horn like a tiny ballerina
>playing idly with her mane, the tiny thing looks down at you, pupil-less black eyes taking you three in with obvious curiosity
>"Welellel, howagaow didjinid youfulunou allavanaral comononmome tovufo thisigirilis hedgejeiaromafanow ogolof mitizikinine?"
>you hear her buzz something in a foreign language to you, the sounds bouncing so quickly along her tongue that you can't make out what she's trying to say
>you just shake your head, trying to pantomime that you're REALLY trying to be quiet here
>she seems to take it as a sort of game, clapping her hooves together softly and chattering at the idea
>"Ohnoropoh, aaah gamalanairaime! Mayakabaeray thisijifilis onamunarunone plaquatasanafay?"
>you shush her in irritation, a bucket of icy fear dumping over you as you faintly hear those stomping hoofsteps approaching again
>you gesture as quietly as you can that she's going to get you caught by whoever they are, and could she PLEASE be quiet? Just for a moment?
she gets a mischievous smile on her face, which paired with her all-black eyes makes her look terrifyingly malevolent, and begins to glow even brighter
>just then, it occurs to you
>oh no
>those masked ponies can probably see her in here
>you bite your lip for a moment, before making up your mind
>as the stomping gets closer, you whisper under your breath
"When I give the word, run for it!"
>you feel Sweetie and AB shift around above you, which you assume means they agree
>the sounds get closer, they're practically right in front of the bush now
>you can't stand it anymore
"Go!"
>you all bolt from the shrub at top speed, rushing directly between the figures approaching, a high-pitched jibbering causing the bush to rustle and shake!
>you're amazed all three of you make it past, until you see part of the reason why: at the same time you made your break for freedom, something else exploded from the nearby mansion
>something huge, its enormous jaws held open in a piercing roar as it swims through the air, its long fish-like tail propelling it through the sky as its golden scales shine in the pale moonlight
>with that fight in progress, you're able to quickly slip past, the cacophony of noises and the adrenaline crashing through your veins overriding anything other than fight-or-flight
>you break for the road and then run down it, looking desperately around for any way out of this place
>it seems like every place you look, there's some new monster
>a puddle of shadows jetisons a pile of bones out of it, the black goo that threw them crawling towards it
>you hear the deep rumble of a giant's roar as living winds swirl around something fifteen stories tall, with glowing red eyes and hands made of cloud and storm
>"Scootaloo! Where are we going?!"
>you hear Sweetie yell behind you
>she's right
>you need to find a gate, or an exit, or a
>!
>a door!
>you see the mist stop like a solid wall a few feet from the door to one of the mansions, and something in your mind just knows
>that ornate blue door is your ticket out
>you don't have time to wonder why you know that, you just do
"This way! Follow me!"
>you charge, lungs on fire and muscles full of battery acid
>you can practically feel the claws of something vicious on your neck, but one last push, and--
>the moment your hoof sets foot beyond the fog, two things happen
>you hear a dismayed shriek from whatever was chasing you
>and you see an eye
>well
>to say you "see" it isn't quite right
>you comprehend it
>set against the black, an eye with a golden iris stares at you
>no, truly it stares through you
>and as it does, you feel something you know you shouldn't
>a wave of disinterest washes over you, like you've just sat through a thousand years of boring lectures
you should probably turn around and go back wherever you came from, really
>but you know, logically, if you do that, there's no way you'll make it back
but you understand that really, there's nothing there, so it's best to turn away
>nothing but a blue door
that isn't there, you must have mistaken it for something else
>it's your only way out of
you can't, though
>you blink a few times, your heart pounding out of your chest even as you fight the impulse to turn around and walk away
>the eye, the eye in your mind, continues to stare
you continue to realize that exploring in this direction is utterly pointless
>but you need to get to safety, and bring Belle and Bloom with you
you understand, however, that you are
「unwelcome」
in this place
>something warm runs down the side of your head from the ear
>but you take another step forward
>you're distantly aware of the sound of something hitting the ground to your left
it would be wise to check on them and turn away from the nothing you're so intent on seeing
>and you simultaneously know that doing that would just seal your fate
>you can't run forever, and now one of your friends is unconscious
and so you know that you must tend to them, if they are to have any hope of surviving
>no, you NEED to--


Y̶̢̛̻̋͌͐́͑̉̈͆̀̈̈́̌͑̃̃̃̈́̚͘Ǫ̶̩̣̟͈̬̉̒́̇̽͑͆̈̀͌͂͋̏̿̀Ų̵̪̺̼̳̦̦͉̼̈̓͒̽̈́̒̿̋́̐̊̆̔̔̃͒̈͘̕͠͠ͅ ̵̛̦̮̜̜͉̼̠̖̤͇̦̽͂̾̏̈́͗́̍̆̋̎̍̉̔͐̉̈́̏͝D̴̢̖̃̾̊̄͊̓̈́͌̔̔͐̄́̃͝Ơ̷̰̱̌̀̉̒͂͋̔̚ ̷̨̨̛̫̝͈̮̝͍͈̦͚͕͍̣̫̜̟̜̼̱̔̿̈̓̑͛̉͗͋͊͒̔̚͜͠ͅṈ̴̨̡͕̗̞͍̹͔̤̪͈͗̒̀́͌̃̈̈́̔̇͘̚̚O̶̡͉̗̱͖͚͈͖̫͋͌̈́̆͛͒̀̏̓̕Ť̶͍̼̹̝̖̭̱̮̳̻̟̥̣̔̇͛̈́̎͛̀̈̉̄͌̀́̔̇͋̚͘͘͜͝͠>
>
>
>you comprehend the eye focusing itself fully on you, and whatever you were thinking stops
>faintly, you wonder why the world is tilting
>it's like watching someone drop a film camera
>your vision gets fuzzy, and a little red at the bottom
>if you could just get inside, you know that you could save yourself, and save your friends
>the eye is burned into your perception
>or your memory of your perception
>it stares you down, even as your thoughts fade away into nothing
>the world is just color and noise now
>
>
>
>
>...
>the last thing you remember is the sound of blasting wind and a flash of blue rushing at you



>!
>"Ah, good. It would appear you have a strong recollection of preceding events."
>the tuxedoed man before you tents his fingers, looking pleased
>at least, you think he looks pleased, so far you've really only seen one expression on his face
>"However, as I said, your presence here is most unexpected:"
>"The Velvet Room exists between dream and reality. Between mind and matter."
>his grin widens even more, and you notice that the pianist has finished their performance, as has the singer
>"Make no mistake, however. Your current condition in no way straddles these lines. You are very truly here. How interesting."
>"Further, you are neither under contract, nor was one forged in accordance with your immanent arrival."
>you look down at the young alicorn sitting next to him, and get a slight shock
>their eyes glow with a golden hue that looks all too familiar, with the benefit of hindsight
>"For fate to guide you to this moment, your destiny must be truly extraordinary!"
>the long-nosed old man gives a wheezing laugh, waving his hand over the table
>where his hand moves, you see a set of cards fan out, all sorts of colors and designs, like they were built from the remains of several different decks
>"By way of compensation, may we offer you an examination of your journey?"
>"Since you have already so vividly examined your past, perhaps a glimpse of what may await you is prudent."
>he holds his hands out to you, offering for you to select a card
>hesitantly, you reach out and draw one from the left edge of the deck, embossed with a blue back
>with a flick of his gloved wrist, Igor bids the card to turn over
>you see...
>a tree, its boughs wrapped around each other to form a heart
>standing beneath it on either side are a man and a woman
>the sun shines down on both of them, and fruit dangles from the tree within reach of both
>"Ah, the Lovers!"
>"This card, the most immediate in your future, alludes to unions and partnerships, as well as a resolute commitment. It is a card fraught with import, and the choices it portends should not be taken lightly!"
>he nonetheless gives a gentle laugh, looking expectantly up to you to choose again
>this time, you opt for something a little to the right of center, your hoof drawing out a card with a red back this time
>Igor again gestures, and the card obediently rotates around one side, flipping over to reveal...
>?
>you see a thin, gaunt man with a skull mask, beheading a cartoonish man in a crown with a scythe
>the scene is painted in reds, blacks, and grays
>between the strange art style and the fact that it's upside down, it takes you a second to fully understand what you're looking at
>"Hmm, Death!"
>!
>"Ah, worry not, young visitor, the card known as Death is not so dreary as the name might imply."
>"Death is a card of endings, but not of the end. It instead calls to mind deep and profound change, as well as acceptance of what may come."
>"Reversal, then, is denial of such things, and resistance to them."
>"Further in your future, you may wish to ask yourself whether this Death beckons you, and whether you will answer its call."
>it seems he still expects you to draw again
>you reach forward for one of the middle-most cards, and your hoof taps one with a dark ebony border
>when the wizened old man gestures, though, the card lays limply upon the table
>tilting his head to one side, he reaches forward to touch it, picking it up between two fingers to examine it before looking from the card to you
>"Well now... this is most peculiar indeed!"
>he sounds delighted, but as you've seen, that doesn't necessarily mean much
>handing the card to you, he drums his fingertips on the edge of the blue covered table, apparently thinking hard about how to respond
>when you get the card, you immediately see the problem
>the card depicts a silhouette of a woman, surrounded at several angles by the heads of lions
>but from the stylized nature of the card, and the ambiguous outline of the woman, you can't determine if the lines from woman to lion are chains binding her, or arms reaching out to them
>you can't tell if the lions' heads are bowed towards her, or reaching for her
>"Hunger and Strength: Two cards, intertwined, which deal with savage impulse and use of power. While closely related, to describe them as either alike or opposite would be an error. For a card to be so unclear as not to resolve itself to a single depiction, your fate must be truly remarkable!"
>he pauses for a moment, long slender fingers stroking his chin pensively
>"As you continue on your journey, you may find yourself beset by choices, which will bring about a radical change, thus creating a precarious position wherein your use of strength is tested. You may find it prudent to be mindful of such events, and your handling thereof!"
>"Well, with that, I do believe your business in this room has been concluded."
>the pony sitting beside him clears their throat and speaks for the first time
>"If there is nothing further to address, I would be happy to escort you to the exit."
>the sharp tone of their voice leaves little doubt in your mind that they're less than amused with you and your visit here
>!
>you suddenly get a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach as the distance between you and the table grows before your eyes
>you look backwards and see the door sliding toward you, like gravity had shifted and your body is just now catching up
>you turn your head back towards the inhabitants, something welling up within you as thoughts run unbidden through your mind
>memories of a dream you almost forgot, of the moon looming closer to your home
>memories of a dark cage and a grating, spiteful laugh
>without thinking, you open your mouth...


I'll leave when I have some answers.
>What about my friends?
You can't just throw me out!


"What about my friends?"
>you meet the attendant's eyes with a frigid glare in return, feeling your hooves dig into the blue carpet beneath them
>their eyebrows raise practically into their cap, and you start walking toward the table, crossing the distance that had grown without your traversing it
"I don't remember them coming in, they aren't here now, and I'm sure as hay not leaving without them."
>you continue, approaching the pair and then planting yourself firmly in front of it
>rearing up, you place your forehooves on the cloth-covered surface of the table, now at eye level with Igor
"So, what happened to them?"
>Agatha actually takes a small step backwards, looking incredibly embarassed
>your gaze switches from the attendant to their master
>who of course gives you that same unchanging smile in response
>"Please, excuse Agatha's impertinance; she is, perhaps, a bit overzealous in her protectiveness."
>"However, if your concern is with your companions, you need not worry."
>"Their safety has already been guaranteed by your actions thus far; you may rest assured that upon your successful return to your home, they will accompany you."
>"In order to preserve their well-being, we have precluded them from any further activity for the time being."
>"Please understand: We are acting in the best interest of all involved."
>you... guess that'll work?
>you don't get the impression that he's lying, in any case
>"Moreover, you have exhibited both an astounding penchant for self-assertion, and a delightfully unique destiny."
>"Were a catastrophe to threaten your existence, I have no doubt you would rise to the occasion masterfully, don't you agree?"
>he addresses his question to the alicorn, who nods once after a moment's contemplation
>"Of course, it is just as well that no such danger is present for your world."
>the well-dressed proprietor of the Velvet Room clarifies
>"And yet, it is perhaps regrettable that there is no armageddon against which you might clash."
>Agatha remarks, looking a bit worried
"What's that supposed to mean?"
>you'd just as soon nothing terrible happen, all things being equal
>the two share a look that you can't really interpret
>"Allow me to speak plainly,"
>the elderly man declares, leaning forward and tenting his fingers almost conspiratorially
>"Your arrival in this room, from an entrance through which you should not have been able to pass, presents a conundrum."
>"It is the role of the Velvet Room to assist those who have or will enter into a contract with us, and yet there is no basis on which we may form such a bargain."
>Agatha lets out a small 'ahem' to draw your attention
>"And while you have all the markings of one who is to be helped, there is no threat with which you require assistance."
>Igor nods and continues her thought for her
>"As it stands now, we can offer you no aid in returning home, as doing so would directly interfere with the decisions which guide your fate. This would be considered a grave violation of a standing agreement, and would have deleterious consequences."
>they're both silent for a moment, deep in thought
>"However,"
>Agatha begins
>"However."
>Igor agrees
"However?"
>you ask, not picking up at all on what they're thinking
>"There is a way that a contract can be made."
>"Because you arrived through the Sea of Dreams, you are not by necessity tethered to only your world."
>?
>you arch your eyebrow at that
>"The swirling abyss of infinite possibilities by which you came."
>"Set amidst it are islands of existence, might-have-beens, what-ifs, and never-weres."
>Agatha interjects, before allowing Igor to continue
>"Were you to assist some these differing realities, you would then yourself be in need of aid, which we could provide."
>"However, this would carry with it a 「burden」, which you would need to assume in order to grant you agency in these worlds."
>Agatha's harsh expression softens slightly as she speaks up again
>"Your compatriots will remain safe regardless, and their choices are of course their own."
>Igor nods appreciatively at her, before turning to you again
>"And so, we must ask you:"
>"Do you agree to these terms?"
>"Will you help these alternate worlds in exchange for what aid we can offer you?"
>This is a very important decision
>you must choose wisely


Yes
No
>I have some questions...


"Hold on a sec, you didn't even tell me what 'helping alternate worlds' means!"
>you hold up a hoof to stop Igor, who leans back slightly in response
>"Ah, of course, a fair question. Consider: your world is safe, but it was not always so."
>"In times of crisis, those with sufficient will have stepped forward to dissuade the nihilistic tendencies of those in power."
>"Let us refer to them as heroes."
>Agatha's smile is just a little proud as she speaks up
>"It's within our power to assist, when the threat of self-destruction is immanent, and a hero answers the call."
>but as quickly as her smile grew, it fades
>"But in order to help, they must first answer."
>Igor leans back in, ever-grinning and ever-proper
>"If you were to agree, then, you would do well to search for those who are restrained by their own trepidation."
>"If you liberate them from the illusions plaguing them, we may in turn answer their desire to affect change."
>you think about this for a second, looking around the silent Velvet Room at its inhabitants
>your gaze gets drawn back to the large blue door at your back, and you feel a tightening in your chest

"...If I say yes, would I have to start right now?"
>Igor gives a chuckle at your question
>"If that is your wish, I suppose arrangements could be made."
>he laughs again, before shaking his head
>"However, it ill behooves you to charge in headlong. Both you and your companions would be better served by a period of recuperation."
>Agatha nods along, but seems to have less to comment about on this matter
>"I regret to say there is little more that may be revealed to one without a formal agreement."
>"It is, after all, not yet officially your place to know."

>It seems there is a limit to what you can learn from Igor and the others without accepting a contract and the accompanying burden
>do you accept the terms of the agreement?
>this is a very important decision
>you must choose wisely


>Yes
No
I still have more questions!


"...Okay."
>you take a steadying breath, steel yourself, and hold a hoof out for Igor to shake
"These ponies sound like they need help, at least as much as I do. So if it'll get me and my friends home, and help them?"
>you smile, ready for whatever comes next
"I accept."
>Igor gives a single clap, the most animated you've seen him since you first came to in his Room
>"Excellent, truly excellent!"
>he reaches a hand out and takes your hoof almost daintily, giving it the most delicate of shakes
>as he does, you feel something in his hand, which when you draw back, you realize is a small badge
>just as he's moving his hand away, you hear the other two young alicorns begin their respective performances again
[Crusader's Hymn for the Velvet Room]
>the badge looks startlingly familiar, just like the emblem on your Crusader capes
>a young pony in a cape set in a heraldic shield emblem
>this one, however, is smaller, and mostly gold with black highlights
"Um... what's this?"
>Agatha floats it up with her magic and presses it against your chest
>?
>you feel a strange warmth coming from the place where it nestles in your coat
>"This is the aid we can offer, which is a necessary part of your task."
>"So long as you are a guest of the Velvet Room in this capacity, you shall have the Complex of Ego."
>"You may think of it as a badge of recognition of one's true self."
>you feel it pulse against you every couple of seconds, not to the point of distracting you, but simply reminding you it's there
>with each pulse, you feel that eerie sensation of someone's eyes on you

Obtained: Ego Complex

>you're shaken from your reverie by a small noise of something dragging on cloth
>Agatha is the one to present you with the other item, placing her hoof on the table and then lifting it away
>you see a rectangular card depicting a tri-colored shield in red, pink, and purple that exactly mirrors your cutie mark
>Igor picks it up between two fingers and offers it to you
>before he lets go of it, he tells you in his strange, meandering cadence
>"This, then, is the 「burden」 which is inextricable from your task."
>"If you are to enact meaningful change in the other existences to which you travel, you must endure the weight of responsibility which is indivisible from choice."
>"So long as the world in which you reside lacks a hero able to forge a contract, you will be obliged to stand in their place, with all of the rewards and consequences thereof."
>he holds out his free hand as if presenting his idea in physical form, his eyes narrowing due to the constant grin he wears
>"Once conferred to a resident of that existence, you will be relieved of said burden, and thus able to move freely between realities."
>at that, he finally lets go of the small rectangular object, and you take it in your hoof
>as soon as you do, though, it seems to vanish into thin air
>but although the card isn't physically on your person, a figure grows more prominent in your mind
>a form of sleek, beautiful black steel accentuated with streamlined engines and compact missile silos
>its surface crisscrossed with joints that hide a mechanical giant inside the avian shell

Obtained: Hero Complex

>"Now, with that taken care of...?"
>Agatha looks to her master cautiously
>he simply nods to show approval
>"If you don't have any further objections, it would be wise to return you to your world of origin, sooner rather than later."
>"After all, the Velvet Room wasn't built with prolonged accommodation in mind, even for its guests."
>you still sense a certain urgency to her voice, but this time tempered with... dare you call it concern?
>she trots around the table to you, walking with you to the door
"And my friends--"
>you start, but she stretches a wing out and pats your back with it gently
>"When you step outside, they will be placed in the location most reasonable for them to have been. Like yourself."
>as if on cue, the door starts to open, and you can clearly see the outline of your dresser and bed through the space between door and frame
"And what if I need to come back here?"
>she admonishes the idea, waving it away
>"Now that you are welcome, you will find your way here in times of need."
>"But truly, you should rest and recover from your escapades this night."
>as you step through the door, you feel a dull 'th-thump' against your chest
>"Rest well, and we await your next visit, honored guest."
>you turn to bid farewell to the navy-blue alicorn, but when you look back, your closet door shows no signs of supernatural activity
>as suddenly as you arrive, you feel exhaustion soak into every muscle in your body
>like you just ran a marathon
>(or at least hiked an entire neighborhood and then fled for your life from literal monsters)
>and without any further deliberation, you climb into bed
>you're practically out before your head hits the pillow, a dreamless and restful sleep overtaking you

-Palomino Apartments-
Morning

>...
>urgh
>you grumble a little, pulling your covers up further and curling up underneath them
>but between that and your costume, it's getting too warm to sleep much longer
>you start to pull down the felted wolf cap to see if you can keep the light out long enough for another five minutes of rest
>but you know you should probably just bite the bullet and get up
>"Hey."
>you hear Al's gruff voice from the other side of your bedroom door
>he knocks once, and you can actually hear him scratch his stubbled face
>"You up yet? I got work soon."
"Nnn."
>you groan, grudgingly acknowledging you're conscious
>"Wouldn't be so tired if you weren't out so late, sleepyhead..."
>you hear him mutter
>"Anyway, breakfast is on the table, don't let it get too cold."
>you hear him start to walk out before pausing and turning back around
>"Oh, and don't just eat candy for breakfast either."
>and with that, you hear him walk across the apartment, and a moment later the door opens and closes
>part of you wants to say that after last night, you have bigger things to worry about than breakfast
>but another part of you (specifically your stomach) argues that there's nothing more important than breakfast at the moment
>so you climb out of bed and then remove your costume, hanging it up in the closet you walked in from at the end of last night
[Cave Story - Graveyard]
>when you open the bedroom door, you're greeted with the unmistakable scent of greasy fast food
>Al must've run to Hayburgers and grabbed something off the breakfast menu
>a Junior Number 3 with OJ is admittedly one of life's simple pleasures
>so you take his advice and walk over to the kitchen table, take a seat, and chow down, enjoying the savory taste of fried hay and Breakfast Sauce
>(you're pretty sure it's just a combination of two of their other sauces)
>their OJ isn't as good as fresh stuff, but it's perfectly passable
>as you munch, you can't help but remember the events of last night
>the panicked run from those ponies in the robotic looking masks
>the mantis-like miniature pony in the bush
>that giant made of clouds that was stomping around
>and now you're going to be seeing stuff like that again, soon?
>it feels like a bit much
>you put your hoof to your chest, recalling the medal that was placed there
>you can't feel the metal surface of it now, but you do feel a faint ba-bump against your chest as you remember it
>definitely not just a dream, then
>so, you can't help but wonder, when does it start?
>Igor and Agatha said when you were "recuperated", but how do you judge that?
>...
"Oh!"
>before anything else, you need to fill the girls in on what happened!
>you run over to the wall phone, picking it up and dialing Sweet Apple Acres
>you know the Apples are early risers, so odds are good they're already out and working
>but it's worth a shot...
>"Whazzat? Who's callin'?"
>you breathe a sigh of relief as Granny Smith finally picks up
"Granny! Is Apple Bloom awake? Can I talk to her?"
>"Eh? No, no, our apple room's one hundred per-cent real, who's this?"
"It's Scootaloo!"
>"No, I'M asking YOU who!"
"Scootaloo!"
>"Eh? Fruit loops? we only sell those in spring, sorry!"
>wait
>she sounds kind of far away, for being on the phone
>is she holding the phone upside down?
>"Granny, turn the phone over!"
>"Turnovers? Well, we can make a special order of 'em, but we'll need to talk to th'Cakes first!"
>she's killing you here
>ugh
>okay, uh
>maybe if you...
"Fancy, burn a cone for Rover!"
>"Wha?... Oh! Heheh, sorry 'bout that!"
>her volume spikes, and you have to hold the receiver a bit away from your ear
>but hey, progress!
"Granny, can you hear me now?"
>"Sure can li'l filly, sorry 'bout all that! Now, what was it you was lookin' fer?"
"Is Apple Bloom around?"
>"Can't imagine where else she'd be! But that filly's been tucked in 'er bed tighter'n all git out this mornin'."
>hm
>it might be better to let her rest, all things considered
>but you really need to call a meeting
"...Could you tell her when she wakes up that we're holding a meeting? Tell her it's a code blue?"
>"Sure as shootin'! Code blue, got it! Now, how many turnovers did ya want, again?"
"We'll, um, talk about it when we get there?"
>"Alrighty, be sein' ya!"
>you hang up the phone and let out a sigh of relief
>okay, at least that's--
>"SCOOTALOO!"
>you hear a frantic knocking on your door and walk over to see what all the commotion's about
"Sweetie?"
>opening it, you get tackled back inside immediately in a hug
>"Scoots! Oh thank Celestia, when I woke up I was so worried! There was that big fish monster thing, and those creepy ponies, and then we were running towards a house and I must've tripped or something, and I thought... I thought..."
>Sweetie Belle squeezes you tighter, and you give her a hug in return
>she sniffles a bit, before looking up at you
>"Are you alright? Did you hear from Apple Bloom yet? How did we get back home? Where did we--"
>you hold up a hoof, and she calms down, as the two of you get back to your hooves and trot inside
"I'm fine, and I think Apple Bloom is too. I just called, and Granny said she was still asleep, so she probably just needs some rest."
>you sit back down at the table, thinking how best to phrase the answer to her next question
"How we got back is... kind of a long story. I think we need to talk about it with AB, too, so we're going to meet up at the clubhouse. After that, we can go from there."
>she nods, seeming to calm down a touch when she realizes you have a plan
>well, the beginnings of one, at least
>anything that involves "make the rest of the plan" as one of the steps is a pretty weak plan
>but anything's better than nothing, you think
"Are you okay, though? You don't feel weird or anything, right?"
>Sweetie shakes her head, patting herself down to double-check
>"Just confused..."
>you can't blame her
>you are too, to be honest
"Don't worry, we'll figure it out. Did you eat before you came over?"
>she thinks about it for a second before shaking her head
>makes sense, she had other things on her mind
>you walk over to the pantry, opening it up and looking through it for something she can snack on
>lots of junk food, of course, but you do eventually find a quick-cook packet of oatmeal
>this one has little chunks of dehydrated apple and brown sugar dust mixed in
"Is this okay?"
>you hold the bag out for her to look at, and she gives you a thankful smile and a nod
>you dump them into a small pan and pour some water over top of them, setting them on the stove over low heat
>maybe not gourmet cuisine, but it'll do in a pinch
>as you wait for that to heat up, you take another few bites out of your rapidly cooling fast-food breakfast
>the quality goes downhill fast when it's not fresh out of the fryer
>your eyes land on the paper Al brought in this morning
"Hey... wonder if anything got published about last night?"
>you open the first section up, flipping through it searching for possible mention of property damage and strange visitors
>but the headline doesn't read "INVADERS AND MONSTERS DESTROY NEIGHBORHOOD, MANSION IN RUINS"
>it doesn't even talk about "SPOOKY FOG ENVELOPS TOWN, CREEPY MASKED PONIES ROAM THE STREETS"
>...wait, that's just Nightmare Night
>still, surely someone else saw something, right?
>"Scootaloo...?"
>the worried tone in Sweetie's voice is enough for you to immediately drop the paper
>"Where'd you get this?"
>she holds up a second paper, much thinner, but with an all-too-recognizable title: "Foal Free Press"
>but what sends your heart plummeting into your stomach is the front-page article, and a byline you were sure you'd never see again

Exposé: Treasonous Teacher Poisoning Young Minds at the Source!

Gabby Gums

Gentle breezes, blinking stars and a vibrant moon bless our town of Hypnos with a singularly beautiful view of the night we residents too often take for granted. But though there are no threats of rain in the weekly forecast according to our favorite meteorologist Winter Sky, there ARE dark storm clouds brewing on the horizon. For the source of this cold front, one need look no further than the humble schoolhouse P.S. 107, administrated and taught by one Cheers Liqueur. No simple band of lightning and thunder, this haggard mare and rumored liquor bootlegger is brewing up a storm of insurrection as baffling as it is dangerous.

According to sources close to the educator, she has been growing increasingly outspoken in her presentation of biased misinformation far out of line with both the state-approved curriculum and basic common sense. Her insistence on spreading and attempting to legitimize the spurious rumors of food shortage in the Appaloosa and Manehattan regions has long made her an easy target for ridicule, but in recent lessons, her focus seems to have turned completely from education to doom-saying:

"[They] cannot survive on less than 4 hours of sunlight, regardless of what anyone wants to tell you. It is [...] killing ponies because of the-- the SELFISHNESS of-- that is to say, I mean, the ill advisement of[...] our leaders."

Numerous studies sponsored by the Agricultural Council have repeatedly disproven the widely-spread rumor regarding plant nutrition, of course. It is this reporter's personal experience that several species of plant grow and even thrive in low-sunlight conditions, and one can't help but wonder what kind of fruits Ms. Licquer might be attempting to cultivate. (Certainly not the Vitis Vinifera, used in the manufacture of illegal substances which a close relative of hers was recently jailed for producing and selling, though curiously this particular strain DOES require the extended sunlight exposure our subject was pressing for.) However strongly she wishes they were true, Cheers' alternate facts simply don't hold water, and this reporter in particular sincerely hopes she has the good sense to quit while she's ahead.

>you let the paper flop onto the table
>hooooo boy
>"Scoots?"
>Sweetie asks nervously
>you hold up a hoof, your mind going a mile a minute as you try to make this fit with what you know
>Gabby Gums was just a pseudonym you and your friends used to... well, you aren't really proud of what you did
>there was a lot of rumor mongering, and it got you in a lot of hot water
>but you haven't used that name in forever
>heck, you haven't even written an article for the paper in years
>when was the last time the Foal Free Press even put out an issue?
>Featherweight took a break at the end of that semester, and you can't remember anyone starting a new run when the next school year started
>but the paper has today's publication date
>so someone's publishing a story under your old name
>even so, Featherweight would have had to okay the publication, right?
>that colt would never okay something this tawdry: not that anypony has much bad to say about Cheerilee anyway, but he has more integrity than to run a story about her like this
>something doesn't quite add up
>actually, a lot of things don't add up
"Hey Sweetie, could you call the Apples? If you get ahold of someone, have them tell Apple Bloom it's a Code Red now."
>"Sure! Um, but where are you going?"
>you walk to the front door, opening it and peaking out
"Damage assessment."
>you look down the street a ways, and spot what you're looking for:
>Ms. Raintree hasn't gotten her paper yet this morning, it's still sitting on the stoop in front of her apartment
>neither have a couple of your other neighbors
>you hope they won't mind just this once
>you make a break for it, running over and grabbing a couple papers from off the nearby doorsteps before sprinting back to your place
>with the door closed behind you, you flip one of the papers open, poring over each page
>sure enough, folded in at the very back of the paper is a small copy of the same Foal Free Press with the same headline
>knowing where to look now, you rifle through the others as well
>in each one, a crisp, freshy printed issue of Foal Free Press
>okay... this has to be a prank of some kind, right?
>like, the worst prank ever, but maybe
>but then how did they make enough copies for the whole town?
>"Nopony picked up, I let it ring for almost a minute."
>Sweetie informs you in a concerned tone, hovering her cooked bowl of oatmeal in front of her as she takes another bite
>you must have gotten lucky, catching Granny Smith when you did
>at least it's early enough that most people haven't gotten their paper yet
>but that's liable to change the later it gets
>a thought lingers in the back of your mind
>you don't know anypony who calls Ms. Cheerilee "Cheers" that you can think of
>maybe this is tied to that "alternate worlds" thing from last night?
>you can't decide if it'd make this better or worse if it is
>but you need to focus on getting everyone together and forming a plan, first
"Then we should go. We need to get over to Apple Bloom, check on her, and talk about how we're going to deal with this!"
>you give Sweetie a confident smile you wish you were more sincere about
>she smiles back, and you get the impression she might be faking it a little too
>but you'll fake it together, you decide, trashing your thoroughly chilled breakfast burger
>you give Sweetie a second to finish her breakfast while you grab your saddlebags from your room
>then, once you're both ready, the two of you sneak out as quietly as you can, you leading the way along the quieter streets as you head for the Apple Family Farm

-Sweet Apple Acres-
Morning

>you and Sweetie keep to a decent trot, your hurry tempered by the fact that Sweet Apple Acres is, well
>acres and acres of farmland
>as you come jogging up, you see a rustle in one of the upstairs windows of the farmhouse
>and before you actually get to the porch, Apple Bloom is already outside, running to meet you
>"Girls!"
>"Apple Bloom!"
"Apple Bloom!"
>you catch her as she grabs onto the both of you in a hug that's just a little too tight
>you can't help but feel happy just being reunited with your friends
>even so, you have to concentrate on fixing this newspaper issue!
"C'mon inside girls, Ah got a good idea what this might be about..."
>she gestures to follow her, and you and Sweetie join her in the walk to the clubhouse
>"It's the paper, right?"
>she asks in a lower voice, looking around to make sure none of her family is in earshot
>you both nod in response
"There's no way Featherweight would've published that article. He turned down one of Ruby's articles because she didn't have her citation in the right style once, there's no way he'd let someone write under that pseudonym."
>you whisper, trotting side by side with Apple Bloom
>"It ain't right."
>Apple Bloom agrees
>"And besides, how'd they get it to every house in Ponyville? That takes a whole team of ponies to do for the regular paper!"
>"No, Ah mean, it ain't right."
>the three of you trot up to the door of the clubhouse together, slipping inside as quickly as possible
>you walk in, only to see most of the benches and tables cleared off, with a couple books opened to various pages
>Apple Bloom walks over to the copy of the newspaper she has, the individual pages laid out over the table she had previously been painting her model on
>you can see a few different phrases highlighted
>"Ah had to check t'be sure, but this whole article's just wrong. Factually, Ah mean."
>she points at the book nearest you, and you look at the entry in the "Junior Farmer's Kid Dictionary" near the back that it's opened to
>huh
>"Vitis Vinifera is just grapes. Ah double-checked with my sister just t'be sure, but there ain't no laws on what ya can or can't grow, so long as it ain't on a blacklist. Which, o' course, grapes aren't."
>she points at a note next to the paper she scribled out next
>"Ain't no schools around here that use numbers fer their names, either. Ah thought it sounded kinda familiar though, so I called Babs. She said there ain't none in Manehattan that use that number."
>Apple Bloom winces slightly at that
>"Then she said Ah should probably not call 'til after 7, since her dad woke up 'cause of it."
>but she brushes it aside and continues
>"And have y'all ever heard of Hypnos? Sweetie, your sister ever ship anything there? 'Cause Ah can't remember ever hearin' of it 'fore now..."
>Sweetie thinks for a minute before confirming
>"Nope. Not that that means anything for sure."
>"So, it looks like this whole paper's a big ol' fake, if you ask me!"
>AB declares
"So... what do we do about it, though?"
>you think out loud, pondering your predicament
>"I mean, we can just tell everyone that we didn't write it, right?"
Sweetie suggests hopefully
>"But if'n they keep publishin' stories in our name, Ah dunno how long folks'll stand for it."
>Apple Bloom points out
"Yeah. I more meant, how are we going to make them stop? Because we can't let them hurt anypony with a bunch of rumors, right?"
>you chime in
>"Yeah," Apple Bloom agrees
>"Yeah!" Sweetie affirms
"Alright then. So let's..."
>you've agreed to find the author of the most recent Foal Free Press edition
>but where should you start looking?
>well, given what you know so far...


Let's find out who delivered today's papers and see if they know anything
Let's see if we can find out more about this Hypnos place
>Let's go to the school's journalism club room


"Let's go over to the school, and check the journalism club."
>you look to the girls for approval, and they both nod in agreement
>"Yeah, if they pushed out this many papers, there's no way they didn't leave some evidence behind!"
>Sweetie Belle reasons
>"And if'n nothin' else, it'll be a good place to plan our next move."
>Apple Bloom agrees
"Sounds good. Do we need anything before we head out?"
>Apple Bloom shakes her head and looks around at the mess
>"Ah imagine we're better off travelin' light anyhow, but Ah can't think of much we'd need. Ah'll grab m'saddle bags from the house and we'll go."
>you and Sweetie follow her down and over to the farmhouse
>you're kind of surprised how into this Bloom is, but it's great to have somepony who can keep a cool head when things are hectic like this
>so when she gets back downstairs, you let her take the lead as you all head towards town
>the three of you doing your best to stay out of the spotlight the whole way there

-Ponyville Schoolhouse-
Morning

[Investigating the Mystery]
>when you arrive at the large red schoolhouse, you say a silent thanks that it's not crowded with people who had the same idea as you
>looks like nopony decided to come to school on a Saturday, luckily
>but as you approach the building itself, something immediately strikes you as odd
>the door is left ajar
>even if Ms. Cheerilee leaves the door unlocked for ponies to come in and study, she'd never just leave the door hanging open
>you start to say something, but Bloom hushes you and motions to stay low
>you nod, creeping up to the door just behind her as you all infiltrate
>on the edge of your hearing is a knocking noise and a rhythmic cranking sound, like gears
>as you make it into the building proper, your ears perk up
>the sound's definitely coming from in the building
>other than that though, there's nothing immediately out of place that you can see
>Belle is already searching between the rows of desks for clues, and Bloom sticks by the door, keeping watch
>so you head towards door at the back of the classroom where different rooms are cordoned off for various club activities
>as you get closer, you can tell:
>that sound's definitely coming from somewhere beyond that door
>but as you pass Ms. Cheerilee's desk, the sound starts to slow, the rhythmic whirring winding down
>is there someone back there?
>you silently motion to your friends, who trot over as quietly as they can
>when they're with you, the three of you huddle near the teacher's desk
"Okay, I think we might have the culprit cornered. If we all go in at the same time--"
>"Wait, where?"
>Apple Bloom interrupts, looking around for something she might have missed
>"Wait, do you think somepony's actually here?"
>huh?
"Did you all not hear that noise?"
>they both shake their heads, giving you a worried look
"There was this chugging sound, like... like the printing press! Of course!"
>you realize suddenly
>that has to be what it was
>now that you think about it, that's definitely what the hand-cranked one sounded like
>you hop up, running over to the door
>throwing it open, you look wildly around the room
>when you do, though, all you're greeted by is a mess of papers
>you see two tightly wrapped bundles of news script next to the door, and a small pile of loose ones laying at the foot of the machine
>but nopony is in the room, unless they managed to slip between two sheets of paper somehow
>the place is just too small to hide anypony, even the desk that Diamond Tiara had moved in here wasn't large enough to conceal anypony
>and Featherweight and Shady Days helped move that out after she got ousted from the position of editor-in-chief
>Sweetie and AB poke their heads around the door frame too, as you walk inside
>you had to have just missed them, right?
>"Scootaloo... you sure you heard somethin'?"
"Pretty sure, yeah!"
>you respond back, rifling through some of the materials on the table
>all the developed photos and drafts are for the final issue of last run, though, you recognize the group picture of all the students that Shady Days snapped for the end-of-school-year party
>"Just sayin', there weren't--"
>"Girls? Found a clue!"
>Sweetie holds up a hoof, showing you a black smear on it
>she points at where she'd smudged the top paper on the loose stack in front of the machine
>which must mean it's still fresh
>a-ha!
>you look around the room for more clues, but there doesn't seem to be much else
>there's a fine layer of dust on most everything in the room
>but while you're looking through a collection of archived papers, you hear Apple Bloom remark
>"Huh... What do y'all reckon this means?"
>Apple Bloom points to a sheet of paper, its faint golden glow seeming to set it apart from so much of the other material in the room:

Editorial Club
Class of '19

Do you wish to see the world from a different perspective? Do you relish in assisting others to be the best possible version of themselves? Do you wish to expose a new and amazing side of yourself to the world? Then join this year's Editorial Club! For new and experienced members alike, the exciting hobby of revisionism is within your grasp! Sign up now to receive a badge of membership and access to the Darkroom where further developments will take place!

>there are several lines underneath it, presumably sign-up spots for the club
>but looking more closely, one student is already on the club roster
>!
>your name, in your own hoofwriting, is scrawled out
>in a short second, a few ideas click together
>this paper must have something to do with your responsibility to Igor and Agatha
>you remember them saying that your friends were free to choose their own path
>but you also remember Igor mentioning the burden you'd have to carry
>and you're sure they'd have to carry it too, if they join you in doing this
>you can't let them do that, not without knowing the consequences
>so you give a little cough
"Um, girls... I think I've got a theory about what's going on here..."
>they both turn around, surprised at that news and possibly at your name being signed to the paper
>you begin to explain your time in the Velvet Room...
"...so, yeah. I think if you sign your name, it'll be just like with me. You'll have to do whatever this 'helping other worlds' stuff consists of."
>you finish, giving a hard stare at the list
>Sweetie is standing there a little slack-jawed, and AB looks a little annoyed
>"And why didn't y'all tell us 'fore now about this?"
>she asks, sounding a little hurt
>"Yeah! We should've been there to-- I don't know, to do SOMETHING!"
>Sweetie Belle cuts in
"I didn't remember it until just now! And..."
>you hesitate a little
"I didn't want you all to worry about it, if it was something I could do myself."
>you answer, suddenly feeling a touch guilty
>Apple Bloom shakes her head to herself, giving you a little noogie before pulling you into a hug
>"C'mon Scoots, how long have we all been friends? And we ain't never let each other struggle through somethin' alone if'n we could help it."
>"Yeah, that's what the Cutie Mark Crusaders are all about!"
>they both look back at the sign-up sheet for the Editorial Club
>"You said those two asked you to do this because ponies in these 'other worlds' need help, right?"
>Sweetie asks, to be sure
>you nod in affirmation
>"Then they never shoulda bothered askin'. Like you told 'em, we help anyone that'd need it, even if they ain't from 'round here."
>Bloom smiles, reaching over and picking up a quill from the nearby table
>she scrawls her name as best she can underneath yours, before looking to Belle
>a mint green sheen covers the feather and writes out her name in loopy, cursive script
>?
>the moment she lifts the quill from the last "e", you hear a noise behind you, as the handle on the printing machine starts to turn on its own
>it makes a sputtering, clanking noise, before you see two black blobs fire out from under the roller, ricocheting off the ceiling with a metallic twang!
>Apple Bloom manages to duck just in time as one zings over her head, and Sweetie jumps back on instinct when the other clacks off the floor
>they lose their momentum on the second bounce, each clattering to the floor loudly
>your suspicions are confirmed, as the black ink covering them sloughs away to reveal a pair of gold badges
>your friends look over to you, and you just nod solemnly
>so they pick up the two chunks of metal, looking them over before pressing them over their hearts
>as they do, you feel a resonating 'th-thump' from your own
>and memories of a dark castle come flooding back, a cold and lifeless land that you all were trapped in
>the forms of a masked bandito and a powerful magician standing against a fearsome foe
>you remember black, formless creatures approaching you, bursting into strange and impossible shapes
>from the looks on their faces, your friends remember too
>but as soon as the rush of memories occurred, it's over and done again
>"Whoa..."
>"What in tarnation...?"
"...Yeah."
>a newfound understanding is formed between the three of you
>of what was, and what is
>creeeeeaaaaak...
>you hear the sound of rusted hinges, and look over to where it came from
>the paper on the wall is now affixed to a door, carved so cleanly out of the wooden wall that you can hardly believe it's real
>the overhead light stops suddenly at the outline of the door, creating an almost-black rectangular hole beyond
>faintly, you can see a red light illuminating a couple indistinguishable shapes further in
>but what you take most immediate notice of is a small photo that flutters out of the doorway and onto the floor in front of it
>the same picture of Cheerilee as was used in the article from the other world, a hastily scrawled "G.G." and today's date written in the corner of the developed photo
>it almost feels like it's taunting you at this point
>so you take point, walking forward towards the darkness as your friends walk in just behind you
>as soon as you step in, the air feels noticeably cooler, and almost damp
>everything is bathed in a crimson hue, and now that your eyes have adjusted to the lower light, you can clearly see pans and lines of string with clothespins on them
>no mistaking it, this is a darkroom for processing photos
>you can see a few still resting in the developer liquid, which are still too new to make out
>others have been hung up on the string to dry, and you can see a couple of the subjects
>a darkened street with a decorative fountain at a three-way stop
>some far-off shots of a group of ponies who appear to be camping
>a castle set against a full moon
>"Think this is more of 'Gabby Gums' work?"
>Sweetie asks, unclipping one picture delicately and floating it over to you
>you see a picture of a building with a sign over the door, depicting a mug overflowing with frothy bubbles
"I don't know... it has to be, right? If they're the ones that made the paper, this would have to be them too, I think."
>you reason
>Apple Bloom is looking at some of the pictures set in the enlargers
>she hits a button on one of them and it emits a quick snap sound
>!
>a picture begins to develop on the paper that the enlarger is pointed at, one that shows a heavily armored pony wearing sharp plate mail in profile
>unfortunately, it looks like it was bleached in places, the face, one hoof, and a large chunk of the upper left-hand corner coming out completely white
>you reach over to the next one and hit the same button, eliciting another snap
>this one develops faster than the last, but even as it starts to show up, it's impossible to tell what it is
>it's a swirl of black and red, set amidst floating chaos
>but the longer you stare at it, the more detail seems to come in, small spikes and little feathers of color that reveal themselves on closer inspection
>it even looks like the center is moving, whirling in on itself
>you get a familiar sensation in the pit of your stomach, like you're dreaming that you're falling
>and the painting grows before your eyes, drawing closer with every second
>or are you the one drawing closer to it?

-???-
???

>you are alone
>your friends have been scattered from you, and for a time, you will need to fend for yourself
>please select the boon which you will use to reunite:


>Strength of mind
Strength of heart


>you feel a dissociation as you fall into the image on the screen, reaching backwards to try and grab your friends' hooves
>but the whorl of black and red takes you before you can even speak, throwing you into a veritable hurricane
>reds and golds and blacks spin around you, a cold clamminess seeping into your skin
>a cacophony of sound assaults your ears, drowning out your confused cry as you fall through the ether
>the colors begin to shift, reds and golds giving way to blues and purples and grays as you feel the tumbling sensation begin to even out
>your vision starts to cloud over, and you suddenly see a section of black growing larger as you approach it
>you brace for impact, and just barely manage to ready yourself in time as your hooves slam into the stone floor
>your knees buckle from the impact, letting out a wince as you come down hard
>but as your vision begins to recede into the fog, you feel a
>th-thump
>and a pulse radiates out from your chest
>it surges through your legs, filling them with strength
>your head clears like a fresh breeze blew in, and your body has a surge of warmth that brings you back from the brink
>and just like that
>you've arrived

-????????-
Jail Cell

>...not in the coziest of places, though, you note
>you're standing outside of a jail cell, a pair of rusty looking manacles bolted to the far wall
>the only life inside is a small patch of moss
>all the other cells in either direction are similarly empty
>but something about the decrepit cell, walls in disrepair, with only a tiny window to see the outside world through
>it puts you on edge
>like you snuck into someplace you shouldn't have
>you can see a set of stairs at one end of the hall, the rounded doorway left open and a bit of torchlight glowing into the room you're in
>so you follow them upwards, careful not to make any noise as you do so
>you look both ways as you come up the stairs, not entirely sure what to expect of this "new world"
>so far, from what you can tell, it's colder than what you're used to
>everything has a kind of clamminess to it, but you mostly chalk that up to being in some kind of stone building
>but you haven't seen any ponies yet, so you don't know if that's the only difference
>a sudden thought hits you:
>can you understand ponies from another world?
>are there even ponies here?
>what if you wound up in a world where everyone is a cat instead, would you get turned into a cat?
>what if--
>"Ugh, 'Hoof, I swear, if I hear you talk about her ONE more time...!"
>what if you get caught by somepony in someplace you're not supposed to be?
>you duck back into the stairwell, hiding behind the door and listening as best you can from your place in the shadows
>you can hear, amidst their talking, the rattle of metal on metal as they walk
>"C'mon, Wane, you're telling me you seriously don't think she's even kind of cute?"
>"I think you're solidly not in her wheelhouse, for a number of reasons."
>oh great, adult gossip
>you roll your eyes
>"She's in the MC, you're not going to make much headway hitting on her at the pub."
>"Yeah, well... it doesn't hurt to try, though. Worst thing she'll say is no."
>"She's already said no. Emphatically. And repeatedly."
>"Buuuuut, she's going to say yes this time. I've got a plan. And I'm headed down to the pub to put it in action."
>...
>"Want to join me?"
>"I shouldn't, and neither should you. Curfew, remember?"
>you hear a scratching noise that you would guess is pen on paper, and more rattling as they start to trot away
>as they wander off, you chance a peak from your hiding spot
>you can't see much, other than thick, dark plates and a shock of gold mane on one guard as they exit
>but at least you've confirmed they are equine
>and whether you wanted to or not, you've learned some are kind of obsessive?
>yeah, no thanks
>with the way clear, you step out of the shadows, hopping up on one of the chairs to look at what they were writing
>looks like a log book?
>you peruse through a few pages, and see a lot of different ponies' names and times scribbled out
"Wait..."
>you flip back a page, reading the list again
>in doing so, you spot a familiar name amongst several you don't
"Why is Zecora's name on this?"
>you flip the book back to its original page and set it back where it was
>is Zecora a part of this guard group, maybe?
>you must be someplace close to where she lives, if her name is written down here
>is this some spooky version of Twilight's castle, then?
>and this is her version of a visitor's book?
>you ponder this as you sneak closer to the door you saw those two ponies go through
>it leads to a much steeper, narrower, and longer staircase than the one you came up through...
>you hope this is a good idea
>how are you supposed to find these ponies with "trepidation"?
>...
>you guess hiding from ponies is probably kind of counter to your goal, now that you think about it
>?
>you pause, ear twitching as you detect somepony coming up the stairs
>somepony, you determine, wearing that same platemail
>okay, so you said you were going to not just hide from everyone
>but this is still kind of an uncomfortable place to get confronted by a bunch of guards
>you spot an orange glow as you hurry down the staircase, deciding at the last second to slip out onto that landing
>hopefully they're not paying too close attention...
>you plaster yourself against the wall that's only visible going downstairs, holding your breath
>three black-armored guards trot in perfect unison up the stairs past the landing, not even bothering with a sidelong glance
>phew
>you step away from the side of the wall you're pressed against, looking around for the first time
>it kind of looks like... a storage room, you'd guess?
>there are a few larger crates stacked in one corner of the room, as well as a few long rods you can't really tell the function of
>most of the room, however, is taken up with a trio of huge windows to the night sky, all three reaching down to the floor like a door into nothingness
"Wow..."
>you trot over hesitantly to the leftmost window, peeking over the edge cautiously...
>below you, stretching out in every direction, is a sea of trees, running right up to a sturdy stone wall
>you're easily several stories up, judging from the roofs of the buildings below
>you must be in some sort of castle, secluded in the woods...
>you can just barely spot some ponies milling about in the town within the castle walls
>further up, you spy the full moon peeking through the clouds
>the craters and shadows on its surface give it a forboding appearance, like a unicorn looking sidelong at you
>"It's a heck of a view, huh, squirt?"
"Yeah..."
>!
>a pair of magenta eyes glint from underneath you, pouncing up the wall beneath the window as you scramble backwards!
>you see, almost soundlessly, a black helmet draws itself up and over the point where floor and wall connect
>a pony with a blue coat and covered in dark plate crawls inside, a teal eye inset in her chestplate
>her leathery wings spread so wide they touch either side of the portal
>wait, that voice, those eyes--
"...Rainbow Dash?!"
>your voice cracks with relief, as you see your honorary big sister pull herself to standing position
>she gives you one of those proud grins you've gotten so used to seeing, dusting off a hoof against a section of plate in a silent gesture of
>yeah, I AM that cool
>"Surprised you decided to come up here, of all places,"
>she shrugs casually, looking around with one eyebrow raised
>"you get a little lost?"
>you chuckle nervously, scratching the back of your head
"I... I guess you could say that, yeah."
>you're not sure how you'd explain what really happened, but that's certainly one way of putting it
>she gives a kind of disappointed sigh, approaching you with her wings out and raised
>oh, right!
"Wait, what happened to your wings?"
>the question actually stops her in her tracks, blinking in disbelief for a second before letting out a snort of barely-contained amusement
>"Pfft... Hahaha! Are you serious?"
>she giggles, giving them a single flap that brings her back on her hind hooves, the wind actually strong enough to scoot you a couple inches back
>"Well, you must be out of it, so let's take care of you, huh? Last thing we'd want is for you just walking around the Princess' castle."
>the princess?
>you've only gone the once on a field trip, but you know for certain this isn't Canterlot
>her new look is really cool, but...
>you're not so sure you like it
>and when you meet her eyes, you see a predatory shine in them, the slit pupils focused on you almost hungrily
>it all sets the coat on the back of your neck on end
>but when you start backing away as she approaches, all of her joy evaporates like a drop of water on the surface of the sun
>"Look... just stop. If you step out of this room without a set of manacles, you're not looking at a slap on the wrist like last time."
>she sneers as she closes in on you
"Rainbow Dash...?"
>"They'll throw the book at you, and I'll personally be there to watch it happen."
>!
>she strikes a pose that splays her wings and puts her athletic form on display, forgoing any sense of subtlety as she circles to position herself between you and the exit
>"Now, intruder, lay down and surrender. You're officially under arrest,"
>'again', she mutters under her breath
>"by order of the Elite Lunar Guard!"
>and with that, she pounces at you, flying just slightly to your left in anticipation of your dash for the door!
>you duck under the diving strike, more on instinct than thanks to any formal training
>but Rainbow Dash lets her limbs absorb the force of her attack as she lands against the wall, before springing back and releasing it in a concentrated kick!
"Agh!"
>you feel a hoof plant itself in between your shoulder blades, and let out an involuntary cry of pain as it connects, driving the air from your lungs!
>the sheer force sends you sprawling, rolling over yourself from the strike as you struggle to pull yourself upright
>"Did you not hear me, you insolent little shit?! Lay! down!"
>she barks, leaping into the air before using the force of her wings' downbeat to try and press you flat against the floor
>but as you're trying to stand back up, the assault instead sends you scrambling for purchase, grasping futilely at the smooth stonework under your hooves as you feel yourself scooting ever closer towards the edge of one of the huge doorways into the void
>you manage to just barely bring yourself back to standing as the bat-ified version of your honorary big sis steps closer
"Rainbow Dash, please... don't do this! This isn't who you are!"
>your vision blurs a little as you stand against her, mind racing for a way to fix this problem before it spirals even further out of hand
>but before you can come up with the words, something lurking over her shoulder catches your attention
>th-thump
>the pulse of the medal against your chest seems to strengthen the presence of two pin-pricks set against the flickering torchlight
>and when Rainbow Dash speaks, you can hear overlaid on top of it a gruff voice, feminine but unmistakably hardened
[Riku's Theme]
>"What? Don't you know who I am? What world are you living in, that you think I'd betray an order from the Princess?"
>a grey fog settles in the room, seeming to sap the oranges and blues and purples from the scene
>but as it does, the black outline of a figure astride RD's back grows more prominent, like a clear silhouette cut out of the surrounding atmosphere with a knife
>the longer she talks, the stronger the voice becomes, Rainbow Dash's own voice almost seeming to fade into the background as it speaks over her
>no... through her
>"The Elite Royal Guard exists for one purpose: to fulfill the will of our all-powerful ruler, Nightmare Moon! Who do you think you are, whelp? Defying me is to defy her!"
>another gust slams against you as you skid backwards another couple feet, your hooves only half-perched on solid ground anymore
>but something about what she said
>no, what IT said
>sparks a fire in you
>and when you look up, it's no longer with hope or despair in your eyes, but determination
"Really...?"
>you huff, some illogical part of your brain latching onto her boast about her loyalty
>it makes your blood boil, even thinking about it:
"That's what you think of yourself-- no, what you think of HER?!"
>you shout back at the thing attached to her, the humanoid figure over her shoulder actually bracing for a split-second as a pulse of some mysterious energy radiates out from you
>you can see it more clearly, now, even as the haze seems to obscure Rainbow Dash herself, some sort of armored figure sitting so heavily upon RD's back that she seems to struggle underneath it
>the constant pulsing beat of your heart as you take a step back toward you is rushing in your ears
>each beat seems to distort the very world around you, overlaying two different scenes
>in one, you see Rainbow Bat, confident in her strength and position, leering down at you from above
>in the other, you see your Rainbow Dash, the one you remember, a sister and a friend, not even trying to hide her proud grin
>in your mind's eye, you see the two of them overlaid on top of each other, like two films intercut on the same reel
>but they both, in your heart, ring true
>as she comes closer, you feel hope clashing with fear inside you
>feelings you recognize and those you don't
>something Igor said echoes in your memory...
>"So long as the world in which you reside lacks a hero able to forge a contract..."
>"You will be obliged to stand in their place, with all the rewards and consequences thereof."
>could that mean what you think it does?
>...
>an anchor of your 「true self」 has been called into question:
>which is the truer Rainbow Dash?
>the one before you?
>or the one you remember?
>...put another way
>do you cling to the vestiges of your past?
>or accept the gravity of your current situation?
>this is an important decision
>you must choose wisely


>The Rainbow Dash I know wouldn't just blindly follow what someone tells her!
If this Rainbow Dash just follows strength... I'll show her what real strength is!


"The Rainbow Dash I know wouldn't just follow someone because they're strong... she wouldn't just grovel before someone she doesn't believe in!"
>you rage at the dark figure as it approaches
"I'll remind you what it's like to be the real Rainbow Dash!"
>you spy something in the corner of your vision
>a blue card floats gently down from the sky, twirling in a graceful spin as it descends
>perfect, this is your chance!
"Per... SONA!"
>your wings buzz as you leap up, delivering a spinning kick to the card that shatters it into blue dust!

>!!!

>the moment the card shatters, you feel a searing pain light your skull on fire!
"Aaagh!"
>you can't contain a shout of agony as you land roughly, forelegs collapsing and sending you sprawling to the floor!
>there's an echoed cry as a form coalesces in front of you
>like the scream of an engine through the sky, but far too close, and far too loud
>a pitch-black jet appears in front of you, its engine smoldering as you take in the extent of its damage from your prone position on the floor
>it lets out a cry that reminds you of metal grinding against metal, a jagged hole torn in one wing, exposing a damaged mechanical arm underneath
>you wince, barely able to keep your sight focused, as the black figure lets out a grunt
>"So this is the strength of self-determination, is it?"
>it rasps, climbing off of Rainbow Dash
>the moment its feet touch ground, you see everything freeze solid in the gray haze, even RD's breathing
>the fire from the torches on the wall hold like they were painted there
>"Do you imagine yourself to be a savior? Such insolence... this world already has one of those. And I serve her with loyalty in response!"
>it steps methodically towards you, closing the distance at a leisurely pace, even as its stance suggests a battle-hardened readiness
>"This is what an obedient soldier looks like..."
>it practically spits, before halting and flexing an arm
>as it does, the dark sheen over its skin bubbles and writhes, before layered segments of armor burst out of it from within!
>the effect ripples across its humanoid body, random sections of its skin erupting violently as metal plates explode outward, forming a crude skeleton of red-and-gold samurai armor that shifts and slides, interwoven with its unworldly black flesh
>its glowing eyes narrow, as it flexes the muscles in its hand, a bent metal rod extending from either side of its wrist with a sickening spurt of ichor
>it's followed a second later with a pair of tendons that whip around the rods, pulling them taut into a bow-like shape as the thing resumes its stride towards you
>the other hand snaps and splinters, before melding into one long, thick piece of metal, a sword half as tall as the thing weilding it
"Nngh..."
>you wince, tears streaming from your eyes, stumbling and failing to get back upright as the thing approaches, each finger of its bowed hand elongating and growing into a vicious-looking arrow
>are you seriously going to let this thing take you out?
>the engines on your persona sputter and rev weakly
>it's all you can just to stand
>'You'll never beat her like this,'
>a voice in your head rumbles, sounding almost disappointed
>but what exactly does it want you to do?
>what even CAN you do, right now?
>'Hmph. To think this is what you see of yourself. A mere imitation of the genuine article.'
>your persona crumbles as the dark samurai watches on, and you're able to sense it smirking malevolently despite its lack of any real facial features
>'Very well, then... if this is all you can muster, then it seems you'll die exactly as you lived:'
>'In the shadow of another's greatness.'
>the last bits of your persona wither away into the sky, leaving only a handful of steps between you and the weaponized shadow-creature
"No... I won't...!"
>you cough weakly, feeling something warm run down your muzzle
>"Oh, I'm afraid so, betrayer. This is where you die. For the Crown!"
>it raises its sword overhead, before slashing straight down for your skull!
"I wasn't talking to you."
>you growl hoarsely, meeting the shadow creature's glowing eyes with your own half-lidded ones
>a rectangle of blue light glints back into existence above your head, flashes, and shatters once more
>and the moment it does, a fist nearly as huge as the the samurai itself swings in from the misty ceiling, connecting with the monster and sending it flying horizontally!
>it smashes against the far wall, the force of the blow flattening it for a second
>no... you feel the tempest of wind against your back as it hammers into the thing, a flurry of blows popping against the thing's armor as it's embedded deep into the stone by a jackhammer of consecutive strikes!
>you feel the pain recede, like someone had been squeezing you and building the pressure in your skull and they'd finally let go
>and when you look up, you see a statuesque man towering over you, bronze skin contrasting with the long orange feathers sprouting from his wrists
>they form sharp, angular gauntlets that extend well past the elbow, his bare chest covered only with a brown tunic and some downy purple feathers at the collar
>from the legs down he resembles a bird, great clawed feet hanging in the air as he floats, arms outstretched, behind you
>you spy a single pale eye glint at you as you hear the rumbling voice in your head
>'So, you accept that you will never be the one you hold so dear?'
>you nod slowly
>'And that I shall in turn be no pale shade of another.'
>you hear the shadow clatter noisily to the ground and turn your attention back to it
"...Yeah. I'm not Rainbow Dash. This version of her, or any other."
"I'm me. And you're me, too."
>you square up, a little worse for the wear but ready to fight for your life as the shadow before you snarls and springs to its feet
"Let's show this thing what we can do... Hraesvelgr Ego!"
>"Such blatant disregard..."
>the shadow seethes, it's muscles coiling in on it as it tenses and then throws itself to it's feet
>"What right do you have to defy Her will?!"
>it bellows, pointing its gruesome bow hand at you before its index finger launches forward!
>you hold up your foreleg in defense and the gigantic arm of your persona follows suit, the feathers on his arm splaying out to cushion the blow
>you feel the phantom pain of the strike sting in your skin, but it's dulled by your persona's guard
>you shake your arm a bit and manage to dislodge the iron bolt from Hraesvelgr's arm, the black metal piece clattering to the floor
"Why are you so gung-ho to follow everything she says?"
>you ask back, as the thing knocks another finger-arrow and pulls the sinewy strip of flesh taut to fire a second round
>"She is the wisest, the strongest, and the greatest! The weak were made to obey the strong... so obey my order to lay down, and I'll reward you with the mercy of a swift death!"
>you swipe out in front of you as the second bolt launches, and your hoof smashes through the card
>the giant eagle-man hybrid appears above you and swings both arms down and forward in a calamitous clap!
>the force sends a surge of wind over your shoulder, knocking the bolt aside easily and continuing through to hammer against the shadow thing's armor
>its heels drag against the floor until they're nearly back in the indent formed from your first strike
>but before it gets wedged back into place, you hear it roar, a surge of strength seemingly rippling through its muscles as it grabs onto either side of the wall!
>"RAAAAAGH! You will STOP THAT this instant!"
>you see its glowing eyes turn red, before a crimson mask appears, the demonic features materializing like paper burning in reverse
>the samurai swings wildly at the air with its enormous sword, before letting out a more feral snarl and hunching forward as it circles you...
HP - Full
SP - High
>the shadow samurai writhes in its skin, leading you into a counterclockwise circle as you aim to keep it in front of you
>it halts, then lunges forward at you
>but rather than an attack, it lets out a primal roar, the weapons on its arms taking on a dangerous golden sheen!
>it's just instinct, but you feel a deadly potential emanating from its weaponry now
>best to keep your distance, then...
>you smash your card with another forward swipe, and your muscled protector points a hand at the samurai
>tensing his wrist, you see a single feather turn from orange to deep purple on his forearm
>he plucks it with his other hand, and throws it forward, the size of the feather growing as it flies!
>the feather crunches against the shadow's armor, embedding itself in its shoulder like an oversized javelin!
>but as the deep purple coloration starts to drain from the top of the feather, the creature's gilded sword hacks it off at the base, leaving only a small broken nub sticking out from where arm meets body
>you see it let out ragged breath as its masked face glows with warmth, a puff of black smoke with burning embers jetting from its mouth as it debates its next move...
HP - High
SP - High
>if that thing's attacks are more dangerous, you reason, it's best to keep yourself in good condition in case it manages a solid hit
>you notice that since its mask went on, it hasn't said a word
>maybe it can't speak the way it is now?
>or maybe it's just too focused on the fight to try and flaunt its supposed superiority over you...
>you reach forward to use your persona again, but in a sudden burst, it leaps forward and fires an arrow at the ground behind it!
>the golden bolt pierces deep into the floor below, the force propelling the samurai forward suddenly with its sword angled at eye level!
>you jump back and left as your wings buzz, trying to put enough distance between you and it
>but the slash connects, and you let out a hiss as you feel your shoulder blossom with the pain of a long, thin cut
>it surprises you that it doesn't hurt more, though, with the shimmering gold sheen on the surface of the blade
>you land well enough that you can immediately spin and break your card in another hoofstrike without losing momentum
"Hraesvelgr Ego! Help me out!"
>you implore your persona
>but the battlefield seems eerily quiet in the wake of your cry
>even the savage shadow seems a bit confused, looking around warily for some sign of your persona
>when it can't detect any, it lets out a series of short hacking noises you might mistake for a laugh, before charging forward--
>WAAARK!
>before it can reach you, a huge avian head breeches the ground between you and it, beak crunching down and consuming the thing whole as it dives back beneath the earth!
>you hear some muffled grunts of exertion, and the sound of a beak snapping open and shut...
>with each clicking noise, you feel some of your strength returning, the cut on your foreleg not quite healing completely before you hear a final-sounding
>KAWH!
>and the samurai shoots out of the hole the bird's head had cleaved, covered in some translucent liquid, the floor reforming of its own accord
>it puffs with rage for a second time, the glow on its mask now casting its own red-orange light as the spittle on its face sizzles and evaporates in the heat, a large black plume of ember-filled smoke now rolling out of its mouth
>it's hard to tell by its posture, but you seem to be whittling it down...
HP - High
SP - Medium High
>this thing just doesn't want to give up...!
>you see it notch another finger-bolt, the single smooth motion of loading and firing at you so casually that you barely register it's happening
>you try to jump aside, but the attack flies faster than your eyes can track it, the pain dulled once again by Hraesvelgr Ego's quick guard and reflected on your own body
>but this is just the opening you were looking for!
>you rear up on your back hooves and smash your card to the ground, your enormous bird-person persona not even fading from his block before he rematerializes to grab a deep purple feather from his arm
>the javelin-sized feather jams into the samurai figure's thigh, but the toxin within works faster this time, the color leaking out of it in an instant and turning the feather bone white!
>you see the dark samurai struggle to remove the missile, its pulls getting more and more desperate until eventually the feather goes flying from its hands, clattering across the room!
>you can see its eyes jittering behind its mask as it takes strained breaths, but it seems in control of itself enough to stagger forward...
>the jaws of its mask creak more open and it lets out a scream, equal parts rage and fear, that flings searing embers all over you!
>you brace for an incoming blow, but the black smoke and red ashes flow over you and then...
>dissipate?
>you were expecting some impact, or damage, or something
>it isn't until you resume your vigilant circling that you notice every movement stings and leaves your skin feeling raw...
(Burned)
HP - High Medium
SP - Medium High
>you see it stagger slightly as it charges at you, the panic clear in its actions as it starts to move in for a sword slash
>but the withering glare you give it, even as your skin lights up with pain, makes it halt in its tracks!
>it makes to charge in again, but that hesitation was the moment you needed, and you take out your frustration on it in a pique of anger
"Come on! Why won't you just, go, DOWN?!"
>you grit your teeth and muscle through the pain, smashing your card into tiny pieces
>the blow comes from above this time, Hraesvelgr's fist crashing through the ceiling with his index finger outstretched, swathed in green twisting wind as it pins the rampaging samurai face-down to the ground!
>the cacophony of armor rattling against itself rings through the room as the multitude of blows from the wind press against its back, until the cyclone slowly dissipates and the gargantuan bronze finger makes contact
>at the moment it does, you hear a sharp CRACK as the mask it wears shatters and falls away, revealing a craven and cowardly pair of eyes brimming with tears
>"Please... please, I beg you, show me mercy! I surrender, I am your willing slave, your word is my command! Spare me, and I swear my complete fealty...!"
>you suck down a few well-earned breaths of fresh air, the color starting to fade in on the edges of the room as the shadow grovels before you
>it wouldn't take more than a thought to put an end to this thing, and it caused you more than a little trouble
>but on the other hand... it came from this world's Rainbow Dash
>it's something that seems tied to her, that influences her
>what will happen to her if you destroy it?
>is it safe to let it remain a part of her, driving her like this?
>it appears you have a choice to make...

>Show it mercy
Destroy it

>you scowl at the thing pinned under your persona's finger, walking right up to it and staring down at it from above
>you reel back, and it flinches as your hoof comes rushing down--
>WAP
>you swat it lightly on the back of the skull, shaking your head with a bit of disdain
"Jeez, just... stop, alright?"
>you let the pressure up just slightly, and the black-skinned creature scrambles to a prostrate position before you
>"Ma'am...?"
>you let out a dry chuckle as you gesture to your own body, a few puncture wounds and more than a couple singed patches of coat still lingering from your fight
"What're you bowing for? Just because you couldn't beat me doesn't mean you're not strong..."
>you explain, wincing slightly as you sit next to it and point over at the stone-still Rainbow Dash
"That's what I was saying before: I know, uh... well, I know MY Rainbow Dash, and she'd never just sell out."
"But that's not because she's stronger, or smarter, or faster, or better than anyone."
>you think for a second on how best to phrase it
"It's because she's courageous enough to stand on the side of right, even if the whole world is standing against her."
"So... don't just be loyal to whoever's in charge, okay? Be loyal to yourself, too."
>"..."
>the shadow sits in stunned silence as the flames from the torches start to slowly start dancing again
>it seems like reality is starting to set in and encroach on this weird extra-temporal space, as the shadow-like creature rises to its feet
>"Loyal to oneself... hm. Maybe..."
>as it approaches Rainbow Dash, the hardened metal of its armor gives way to a more elegant robe, its beautifully painted face seeming to peek through the pool of black that covered it as it looks back at you
>"I suppose I'll have to try that."
>it says in a more feminine voice, giving you a wry smile before turning back to the batlike pony and disappearing in a flash of light that sends the whole world back into motion
>"Urgh... why do I..."
>you see the grizzled pony put a hoof up to her head, massaging her temple in confusion
>"!"
>when she spots you, her eyes immediately narrow, and she opens her mouth to say something
>but as she does, you notice a glint in her eyes as she takes you in, as if for the first time
>appraising you not like an opponent, but like a pony
>you hear her mutter something under her breath, but can't make out most of it
>she still wears the hardened gaze of a guardspony, but something about it is softer now
>and she looks cautiously at the exit to the night sky as well as the staircase before trotting stoically over to the boxes in one corner, shifting them aside with a sort of rigid motion
>it actually kind of weirds you out, the way she seems to be pointedly keeping you out of her field of vision
>"Huh,"
>she says out loud, not once looking in your direction as she pushes the same box in a couple different directions
>"I would've sworn I saw somepony in here when I was coming in."
>...oh
>you cautiously back up towards the stairway, looking down the narrow passage before casting one more glance at her
>well, at some version of your honorary sister, anyway
>as you slip into the darker stairwell, you hear her say just a bit too loudly
>"Well, if they were here, I just hope they don't escape through the West Corridor, we don't have enough guards patrolling there to keep a close watch on those exits."
>she never moves from her space even as you sneak away, but you'd swear she was watching you just out of the periphery
>ears listening for the sounds of your fading footsteps



Meanwhile...


>...
>oooooh, that hurts
>you wince as you close your eyes tighter, the throbbing pain in your head making you want to slip back into unconsciousness to avoid it altogether
>but even as you pull the rich black covers around you, you recognize something isn't right
>you open one eye just a crack, taking in the various blobs and dark forms of the room you're in
>...wait a minute...
>you fling the covers off of you in a panic, scrambling out of the enormous bed and to your hooves
>where
>wait, what
>no, who
>you look around, trying to pinpoint where you are
>this isn't the clubroom, it's nowhere in the school, and it's DEFINITELY not home!
>you try to shake the confusion out of your head and nearly topple over, a sudden rush of nausea washing over you as your horn throbs with pain
>urgh...
>okay, okay, you can handle this, you just have to take a deep breath, and think...
>there was the schoolhouse, where you and your friends were investigating, that much makes sense
>and then there was the... the newspaper?
>but you also remember a summons
>which, you shouldn't have gotten, that doesn't track at all
>you remember being scared to press on, but if you didn't, you'd definitely have been in hot water
>it was your responsibility to make sure it got fixed
>so this was the only choice, right?
>ugh, but none of this is making sense!

[The Castle At Night]

>you resolve to forget about it for now, looking around the room first
>it seems like a pretty normal bedroom, with a vanity and a dry sink, a small closet, a bedside table with some faintly glowing blue flowers in a vase
>nothing particularly bizarre
>well, except when you look up the vaulted ceilings are ridiculously high
>so, you have to be inside some sort of huge structure then?
>unless it's like the Boutique where it's just one tall building, but even then your sister keeps old designs and dress forms she's not using up there
>no, this is some kind of castle or something, you're sure
>alright, well, no matter what, you know you need to meet up with your friends, and unless you fell unconscious in the middle of a game of hide-and-seek, they're not going to be here
>so you push the door open and trot down the hallway, the eerie blue light glowing from the sconces in the wall casting a kind of sickly pallor over the wall hangings
>looking them over, the tapestries themselves aren't much better, beautifully made but with dark and oppressive colors broken up only by small accents of pearly white depictions of the phases of the moon
>the far wall has long thin windows that let slivers of moonlight in, and as you pass by them you can see the top half of the moon peeking over the trees that sway and flow like water in an ever-changing wind
>...how did you get to this place?
>and why were you invited as an "honored guest"?
>for some reason, that phrase echoes like a chime in your head
>it sounds absolutely right, and yet uncomfortably wrong at the same time
>as you make it to the end of the hall, you can hear what sounds like a low, rhythmic, rumbling pulsing from one of the doorways
>the very last doorway, actually, raised slightly above the others by a short series of steps
>one of the two large oaken doors is cracked ever so slightly, making just the barest allowance for that noise to escape
>it seems to be the middle of the night, so you can't imagine too many other ponies are around
>and nopony could fault you for being just a bit concerned, it almost sounds like a lion or some other creature growling
>...
>your curiosity fights with your prudence as you debate whether or not to take a peek...


>See what you can see through the crack in the door
Mind your own business, there's more important things to deal with now


>...a small peek couldn't hurt, you tell yourself
>tactically, it's the smart decision, so you know what potential threats might come after you!
>the curiosity is killing you, too, but that's purely secondary of course
>you walk up the thin section of fabric covering the stairs, careful to tread lightly on each step
>you even hold your breath slightly as you approach the blackened entryway
>carefully, you lean your head against the fully closed door, peeking in and waiting for your vision to adjust to the darker room within
>the first thing you spot is a large, arched window, much wider than the ones you passed in the hall, mostly obscured by a purple drapery
>it lets the faintest amount of moonlight in, so you can spy some of the other things in the room, at least in silhouette
>it's a spacious area, but almost brutal in its simplicity
>there aren't much in the way of decorations, a small table with wrought-iron legs sitting in one corner, unused
>you can see a spot where a painting used to hang, the discoloration of the wall a dead giveaway dispite the lack of any other evidence
>there are shards of something glittery on the humongous rug that most of the room is laid out on top of
>the ceiling seems domed, much like the room you woke up in but on a larger scale
>and you can spy four thick posts that hold a canopy over the focal point of the room:
>a huge bed overflowing with pillows in navy and black, curtained on all sides with a sheer purple fabric
>as another rumbling noise rolls out of the room, though, you see something flicker
>not in the sort of ephemeral way that candles flicker, or the torches just behind you
>but like somepony playing with the light switch
>except, instead of light, it's a sort of gray filter, paradoxically lighting up the room as it strains to maintain itself
>and every time the world flashes gray, you get a glimpse of something enormous jutting from the center of the bed
>like a gnarled black tree, it arcs and twists back and forth as it rises and its trunk thickens
>you can see branches bunched roughly against the night sky painting on the ceiling
>but despite its old and withered state, the thing that catches your eye when the world flashes next time is a trio of misshapen, rotting fruit, one each in aqua, orange, and red
>they hang low enough to bend the canopy of the bed, for the split-second before they disappear back into nothingness as the world returns to color
>what exactly are you looking at, here?
>maybe the next time it flashes you'll get a clearer look?
>you try to nudge a tiny bit more of your head through the gap, your curiosity driving you to investigate just a little further
>when the color drops out again, sure enough, you can make out the shapes of three more withered fruit higher up
>you lean your head in further to get a better vantage point--
>crrrrrreak...
>the hinge on the door complains ever so slightly as the opening widens to accomodate you, and you barely hold back a shriek as the tree you're looking at ignites in bright golden flame!
>it consumes the entire room in an instant, yellow tongues of fire leaping along the branches and consuming the bed in a blaze that seems almost too bright to look at
>then just as quickly, the world plunges back into darkness, the pale glow of the moon revealing only still, shadowy forms once more
>no, wait, that's not quite true
>you notice the sound of fabric shuffling, before a pony raises their head above the pile of bedding
>their silhouette revealing a long, spiralling horn
>and you can see a thin blue line of color as their eye opens ever so slightly
>you feel your breath catch in your chest, like you'd just been dunked in ice water--
>and a hoof wraps around your mouth before you're dragged out of the doorway, the entire door coated in a pale blue light as it slides silently closed
>"Ahem."
>the noise from behind you is muted, deliberately barely above a whisper, but carrying with it all the stern consequence of a parent who caught their foal with a hoof in the cookie jar
>or, you realize as you turn your head to reveal your discoverer and accidental savior
>a sister catching their sibling snooping around
>she stays completely silent, but her expression says it plain as day:
>'Just what do you have to say for yourself, missy?'

>...
>do you have anything you'd like to say?


"Oh, um..."
>you can feel yourself starting to sweat under the stern gaze of your sister
>she always was good at pressuring you without having to say much
>quick, say something nice!
"...hey, sis! Is that a new mane style?"
>what?
>you don't remember her ever wearing her mane like that, so it's a genuine question
>all it earns from her is a cock of her eyebrow, though
>"I didn't know we got a... nightmare room... what's with all the fire in there anyway? Is it for a new dress, or...?"
>you can hear a faint catch in her breath as you mention "fire", and she whips her head in the direction of the door
>as she does so, though, a wave of grey pulses from the room you were just investigating, tongues of golden flame licking around the corners of the door where it had just been dark!
>you start to move away from the door, but Rarity seems frozen in place
>oh shoot!
>you need to get her to move, she's--
>the color flickers back into the world, and the flames disappear in the same instant
>not even a trace of them remains as Rarity spins up a telekinesis spell and carefully cracks the door just a hair
>as she does, you hear a voice float out like smoke, exhaustion tempering its natural force
>"Ms. Rarity, is there a reason you continue to play with my door when I have made clear I am not to be disturbed at this hour...?"
>and suddenly it's your sister's turn to scramble for an excuse
>there's something unsettling about watching her shrink like this as her eyes dart around for anything to latch onto
>until they find you
>"...I thought I saw a pest come crawling in, Your Highness, and thought it better to squash it before it rose to your attention. I'll take care of it now!"
>you get half of the first syllable of a retort out before she claps a hoof over your mouth
>"...See that you do."
>the voice murmurs sleepily, before a much stronger veil of magic takes hold of the door and firmly closes it
>so firmly, in fact, that the soft THOOM of its impact against the doorframe echoes down the now totally silent hall
>it takes Rarity a moment to compose herself as she stares at the door, biting her lower lip with worry
>when she does, she lets out a sad-sounding sigh and turns back to you
"Sorry..."
>you whisper
>"I don't want any of your apologies, miss."
>she snips coldly at you, trotting in a way that makes her hooffalls all but undetectable as she guides you back towards your room
>"Nor am I in the mood for your compliments, or your overly familiar tone. You are here at Her Highness's pleasure, though personally I can't begin to imagine what business she has with a lowborn pony like you."
>!
>now what's that supposed to mean?!
>you stop in your tracks and scowl at her
"Rarity, what the actual hay? Where did that come from?"
>"That's Ms. Rarity, to you. Or simply ma'am."
>she sniffs indifferently at you, and you hear a rattling sound of metal that punctuates her last word
>"I am obliged to follow the orders given to me by Her Highness; I owe YOU, however, nothing but professional courtesy, and you strain even that."
>oh, so this is courteous?
>your parents warned you not to go asking around about her, was this why?
>did they already suspect how far gone she would be?
>...
>wait, when did they say that?
>you need a second to process the sudden memory, and it's thrown you off guard
"You... you can't actually be serious."
>you stumble through the sentence, it holds a lot less conviction than you thought it would
"Why are you acting so weird right now?"
>the two of you are stopped outside the door to the room you woke up in now, your voices steadily rising in volume as you argue
>"I'M acting 'weird'?!"
>she hisses back, her voice growing hysterical
>"You speak as if I'm some old, familiar friend! I am a servant of this house, and always have been!"
>the sound of metal on metal rings in the air again
"No you haven't!"
>you don't know why but your eyes are starting to sting at the corners now
"Why do you think I came all this way, to be some-- some scullery maid?!"
>you feel a faint
th-thump
>against your chest that clears your head of the confusing memories whirling around it
>"If you have no interest in the job for which you so eagerly and repeatedly applied, then what. Exactly. Did you come. Here. For."
>Rarity's voice drips with barely concealed disgust

>why did you come here?


>I came to find out what happened to my sister
I came to tell you Mom and Dad miss you
I came to rescue you from all this


"I came to find out what happened to my sister!"
>you practically shout it at her in your exasperation, forgetting for a second why you'd bothered to keep your voice low
>you can tell that it takes her a second to fully process what you said, her jaw tensing as if she's biting back her words physically
>"Wait, you mean me? I'm not..."
>she lowers her head in thought, brow furrowed in confusion
>"No, that makes no sense. Why would they?"
>her eyes dart back up to you, taking you in again, not with disdain but with careful assessment
"Rarity, do you not... recognize me?"
>you ask, hesitantly
>the colors in the room shimmer, a different change than the sudden and violent shifts between milky greys and vibrant color from before
>but the sensation is too similar to be anything but the same effect
>"That was... I was barely five when I joined the castle... they promised..."
>she takes a step back, and you see spectral wrought-iron chains snaking up her limbs as she speaks
>"Their names. What are your parent's names."
>the way she asks, you wonder whether she's more scared that you'll be right or wrong
>you look straight into her eyes as you answer
"Hondo and Cookie."
>"No."
>she shakes her head, not wanting to believe it
>"NO, I did this so they, so they wouldn't have to..."
>the grey haze permeates the area like a fog, the clouds and even the moon itself seeming to slow down and discolor
"Wouldn't have to what?"
>you press her as you walk closer, trying to understand
>she retreats another step in kind
>"You shouldn't have come. I was supposed to be the only one She needed, everyone else should've been safe!"
>a thin, haggard voice begins to overlay your sister's, the black, insubstantial shadow of a woman easily twenty feet tall solidifying in front of her
>"Just leave! Leave me and take them far away... please..."
>she whimpers, as the world around you stops moving
>the chains around her forelegs snap like a whip, wrapping around the shadow-being's limbs and starting to glow red-hot
>as the heat travels up the chains to the manacles, you see light begin to pour over spots on the thing's body as it writhes in pain
>"I am the only sacrifice!"
>it wails, the light manifesting as grotesque caricatures of muscles, painted on the feminine shadow's body
>"Please! Leave me to my suffering!"
>the chains twirl and whip as they drag her unwillingly towards you, tensing this way and that to raise an arm overhead
>"Don't share... my fate..."
>it cries, the chain slamming her fist down at you as the thick paint on her face drips with tears!
>'How absolutely dreadful.'
>you hear a voice in your mind as your horn flairs up with magic
>the fist coming down at you ignites in flame, but your magic pulls a small slip of paper from your saddlebags
>...your saddlebags?
>you're not quite sure where they came from, but they're here now and there are more important things to focus on!
>the first one being that voice
>'She put forth all that time and effort for everyone else's sake, and here she is begging not to be cared for.'
>it muses, as the chain on the shadow's wrist snaps its arm back and joins it with the other for a hammer blow
>you scramble out of the way with the card still held in your magic, pulling it close to keep it safe
>'Now, dear, I don't think we've formally met, but I'll be you for the time being, so long as you'll be me. Fair?'
>it asks as you jump over a lunging grasp from the muscle-painted shadow
"Sure, yes! Just help me help her!"
>you pant, eying the monstrous form and trying to judge where its next attack will come from
>'Of course, love, you only need to call me by my name.'
>the chain on her left leg whips out, not to drag her foot along, but a length of the burning iron itself striking at you like a snake!
>too fast to dodge, not enough room to run--
"Anastasia!!!"
>the chain cracks against metal as a svelte, lady-like apparition appears, its hand outstretched to catch the blow!
>'Mmm, that's right.'
>a tinny, modulated voice croons as the robotic maiden squeezes the chain, the glowing heat fading with an audible sizzle as a layer of hoarfrost radiates outward from her grasp
>her thick, white-and-blue fur coat rustles slightly in an unseen wind as she looks over her shoulder at you, mask-like metal face wearing a confident grin before she fades away to prepare for your next command
>"I must... obey...for them...!"
>the shadow-woman shrieks, as you square up for a fight
HP: Full
SP: Full
>you don't know what this thing that's been growing in Rarity can do
>but the Persona you've awakened to seems to be able to do a bit of everything, so...
"Anastasia! Get ready!"
>your magic pulls the card out and presses on its center, the force enough to shatter it as your Persona clunks heavily to the ground in front of you
>'Hold fast, dear, you're doing just fine.'
>she twirls in place, arms sliding gracefully out of her thick coat as she tosses it over you
>you feel some of her sturdiness conferred to you, a thin translucent set of plating that covers your coat raises your defense
>"I can't...!"
>the painted lady struggles as the chains yank her leg skyward and then send it crashing down!
>you wince under the blow, the armor whirring near your joints to keep you from being knocked around
>the chains on her arms, however, snap backwards and grow taut, stretching the shadow-lady's limbs in a way that makes her muscular paint flex unnaturally
>she groans from the strain as the burning chains pull tighter, making a 'clink-clink-clink' sound as they tug...
HP: High
SP: Very High
>you take in your enemy as you recover from the blow, seeing it struggling against its bonds
>you can sense your Persona's weakness, and those flames worry you more than a little
>but that just means you'll have to try a preemptive strike
"Persona!"
>your magic flares again, and your card rends neatly in two, summoning back the mechanical madam
>'Shall we, dear?'
>she asks in her modulated voice, holding one dainty hand out and pointing at the shadow
>the thinner undercoat she's wearing billows as her entire arm expands and transforms, tubes of cryogenic liquid pumping pure cold into a strong ice-based attack!
>at the last second, though, you have a moment of inspiration:
"Wait!"
>these chains and the shadow you're fighting don't seem to be of one mind
>could you target the chains directly, then?
>sensing your reasoning, Anastasia's eye glints with a green reticle as she refocuses on a new target
>'Capital idea.'
>she praises you, the unmoving robotic face's confident smirk nonetheless seeming to revel in the idea
"And... fire!"
>the beam of pure cold energy cuts like a laser across the ground, striking the point where the chains on her arms exit the earth!
>'clink-clink-clink...clin...k...C-CRACK!'
>whatever unseen mechanism was ratcheting the chain lets out a horrendous sound as your attack strikes true!
>the tension on the shadow-woman's arms suddenly slacks, and she stumbles forward trying to maintain her balance
>now's the perfect time to sneak in another attack while she's preoccupied!
HP: Quite High
SP: Medium-High
>amidst the chaos of battle, a glimmer of something shiny catches your eye
>you scoop it up in your magic as you reposition yourself for a follow-up, taking a moment to examine it before stowing it away:
Obtained:
White Bit x1
>hm, to press the attack? Or keep yourself safe?
>you consider both for a moment, but those chains are a real risk
>you don't know what she could do if she landed a hit with one of them, but you can guess it wouldn't be fun
>Rarity always said "an ounce of prevention is worth", uh...
>well, it's worth something!
"Don't let up, Anastasia!"
>the technological tsarina's arm collapses back to normal, still pointing at the painted shadow
>she brings her finger to her lips, kissing it with an audible 'mwuah'
>before miming a gunshot at your opponent
>when she "fires", though, a loud POP rings through the room, and a red streak of debilitating magic smacks onto the shadow's cheek!
>the lip-print seems to sap the giant's strength as it regains its balance, the manacles on her arms growing back to cherry red
>the ones at her feet start to heat too, as she whimpers in pain from the searing metal
>she strikes out with one leg that you easily dodge, but the second chain whips around before she even lands, driving her off foot into your stomach as she crashes to the ground!
>you wheeze as the wind is driven out of you, though with the combined efforts of your last two turns it doesn't hurt nearly as much as it might've
>it mostly just surprised you, but as you suck in a lungful of air you realize
>that could've been pretty dangerous, if she'd managed to land true and keep you short of breath
>good to know this thing has that in her arsenal, you think as the chains drag her back to a standing position
>the arm chains seem to have sustained a bit of damage, though the shadow-lady herself seems just fine save for some tumbles and bruises...
>what's your next move?
HP: Quite High
SP: Medium
>those chains...
>they must be what's causing all this, right?
>if that's the case, you'll need to break her out of them in order to make headway, you reason
>and you've already seen that they're susceptible to ice...
>time to cool them off, then!
>"Please... just go... my fate is sealed..."
>the shadow woman begs, as you square up for another round of attacks
>but whatever this thing is, it came out of Rarity
>there's something deeply wrong, for her to act like this
>and you won't be letting it continue any longer!
"Anastasia, we're going all out!"
>you cry, your magic tearing the card apart as your Persona emerges from it
>'No other way to do it, love.'
>the Grand Duchess agrees, her arm expanding once again as it charges an icy attack!
>the chains rattle menacingly, before whipping forward in an attempt to preempt you--
>'Too slow!'
"Too slow!"
>you and your Persona shout in sync, concentrated cold firing out with a crackle that snaps against one of the snaking chains
>the blast whips it downward and it makes contact with a second, intertwining them in a layer of ice!
"And again!"
>Anastasia's frost cannon chugs, before a blast of pressurized gas rips the sleeve of her undercoat right off, revealing a built-up shard of supercooled ice in the cannon's muzzle
>she lets out an indignant huff and tenses, before the shard rockets out and strikes the frozen chains with a resounding 'C-CRACK!'
>you see the white ice travel all the way down the chains, the metal growing brittle until...
>SNAP!
>two of the manacles, one around her leg and another at her wrist, crunch against the lady's struggles, deep cracks rendering them powerless to constrict her!
>the other two are deeply damaged as well, but maintain enough structural integrity to at least keep yanking her limbs around
"That wasn't enough...?"
>you pant, the sudden outpouring of energy leaving you feeling like you're on mile ten of a marathon
>"I told you, I'm--augh!"
>the shadow's pitiable complaints are cut short as the chains pull at her harshly, dragging her towards you to close the distance
>dangit, you've nearly got this thing finished, you can tell, but you're running on fumes...
>what's your play? Your plating armor is beginning to twitch and malfunction, you doubt it'll survive beyond the next turn
>but refreshing it would take all the energy you've got left, and there's no way you have enough for another ice spell
>you might've dared a bit too far, but you can push yourself over the finish line
>...right?
HP: Full
SP: Very Low
>as you think, you see two more white coins rolling across the floor
>whatever these are, it can't hurt to collect them, right?
>you float them into your saddle bags so you can look more closely at them later
Obtained:
White Bit x2
>time to shift gears a bit, you think as you eye up the situation
>maybe you can catch these chains with an attack in just the right place...
>you're willing to burn a little vitality in exchange for that risk
>so as the shadow-lady is dragged unwillingly toward you, you aim your shot, before...
"Persona!"
>Anastasia appears, spinning a green vial around her wrist like a sling!
>as she does, you see the chains whip their captor's leg backwards, winding up for a kick
>'A bit of evil from me, love!'
>the skull-capped liquid soars through the air, cracking against the metal bond on her leg and splashing a corrosive liquid onto it
>she wobbles on her pivoting leg, teetering dangerously...
>before the chain yanks her completely off balance, a length of it searing white-hot as it shoots at your chest!
"Agh!"
>you let out a cry as the searing metal makes contact, the pain dulled considerably by your armor and the lingering weakness you inflicted
>but the chain continues and sweeps your legs in the same blow, knocking you off your feet as it passes
>dammit!
>you look up to see the chain swing around for a second strike--
>but the temper-worn metal, now etched by the venomous acid, has seen too much punishment
>the link snaps under the strain of its next attack, the newly-loosed tension flinging the remains around in an arc that shatters the final chain!
>the shadow woman falls to the ground, breast heaving with exhaustion as you struggle back to your feet
>you search your thoughts for the words to say
>but as you're formulating your thoughts
>you see the broken chains that lay around her draw back towards their origins, the ratcheting noise softer now that they face no resistance
>they seem to snake under the ground, and back down the hall
>you have a hunch you know where they came from...
>but with this thing defeated, you're on a ticking clock, as the grey fog you've come to associate with this strange state of being starts to fade
>this may be your one chance to address whatever it is that's been making your sister act the way she was
>but you don't know if there's some bigger threat you might need to address
>what should you do?


>Address the complex that's been troubling your sister
Investigate the likely source of the chains


>you have your suspicions, but it'd be foolish at this point to go chasing leads
>not when you can help resolve this problem, here and now
>so you let the chains slink away, and turn back to the painted lady you've managed to free from them
>your heart hurts to see her like this
>but you need to make her face facts, and the fact is...
"Rarity."
>you shift your gaze from the corporeal darkness to the frozen visage of your sister, looking through the giant woman to do so
"You can't do this to yourself. You can't keep doing this."
>you gesture down the hall behind you with your horn to illustrate your point
"If you work yourself to the bone and give everything up for us... never mind THEM, do you really think that WE'D be happy with that? You think I'd be okay with my sister hurting herself like this? Would Mom and Dad? Would your friends?"
>you reach a hoof up to the shadow woman and wipe away some of the grease paint that's creating the illusion of muscles as you stroke her cheek
"I'd say you're going to hurt yourself, but I think you already have. So if you need someone to tell you this, I'll say it."
>your magic amplifies your voice as you speak, giving it a gentle but powerful timbre
"Take care of yourself! Love yourself! And let us care for you and love you too."
>you look up at the woman's face with determination in your eyes
>(maybe determination looks a little like teardrops)
"Don't lay down and die for who you care about. Stand up and live for them."
>you smile and release the spell on your voice before you smile at the giant woman
"Think you can do that?"
>she nods cautiously, seemingly unsure what to do with herself as her frame shrinks bit by bit
>the paint sloughs off of her in dripping sheets, revealing the first hints of a definite form
>a winged helm, and metallic armor that girds a muscular but decidedly feminine figure
>you know you're going to have to find Scootaloo and Apple Bloom as fast as you can
>if the first person you met could cause this much damage, you all can't afford to be separated for very long
>not to mention you're probably a bit out of your depth here, really
>but you can pause long enough to give your sister a hug, even frozen in time as she is
>there's always time for that
>you gallop for the end of the hall, the blue flames of torches slowly starting to flicker again
>as you look over your shoulder, the last thing you see is an angelic-looking woman saluting you smartly, but with a warm smile
>"Where... wait, where did she...?"
>Rarity touches a hoof to her head, looking around in stark confusion
>that filly, she was just here!
>she couldn't have gone that far, and if what she said was true--
>if what she said was true, a small voice volunteers in her thoughts
>then your deal was broken at best, and rigged at worst
>her safety is in her own hooves, and yours likewise in your own
>she'll find you again, in time
>until then, be well and at peace, so that when she needs you, you will be ready
>...



Meanwhile...

>alright
>you need a moment, but you can figure this out
>you've managed to find a narrow alleyway to hide away in, a couple of barrels forming a nice blind spot away from anyone walking by
>the moment you, uh... "arrived", you could tell something was off
>for one thing, you've never seen this place before
>not just the particular streets, but the whole area: there aren't too many castles in all of Equestria, never mind near Ponyville
>the one looming over the town you're in now looks faintly familiar, but you're dead sure it's not Canterlot
>and it definitely isn't Twilight's, either
>beyond that, every town has its own kind of feel, but the layout of this place... it's weird
>weird in a way you don't like, you'd decided quickly
>the streets are narrow and dark, the lamps too far apart to feel totally safe under
>further, when you came to, you were standing outside the back door of a darkened house, a letter in one hoof
>and you got the immediate sense you needed to get away from there
>you had what you wanted, after all, and you didn't have all night
>that was the first thought that sprang to mind, at least
>so now, here you are, trusting your instincts that this is a safe place to hide for the moment while you get a handle on all this
>you lay out the contents of your saddlebags
>(the one you remember packing this morning, the brown ones with the brass clasp, have been replaced with a set of nondescript grey bags)
>and wonder at what you've got
"Ah'm not sure Ah like this..."
>you say to yourself
>first, there's the normal stuff
>you don't recognize the exact titles, but the covers and the contents of the first few pages immediately give away the books as study aides and schoolbooks
>you have a couple notebooks in there too, along with a pair of pencils
>(these are mechanical, but you never did like that style, you prefer the texture and simplicity of a wooden pencil and rubber eraser honestly)
>there's a round cylinder of some kind, tightly sealed
>that's more than passing strange, since you don't see any easy way to open it on first glance
>what else?
>well, there's the letter, of course, stuffed into its torn-open envelope
>and at the bottom of your bags, a crumpled piece of paper

>so, to sum up, you're in a strange place with some strange stuff, some normal stuff, and a quiet sense of urgency to figure this out quickly and get back to...
>doing something
>you probably don't have unlimited time, but you certainly could look at a few of these things for some clues
>you peek out from behind the barrels to make sure nopony is snooping around before you duck back behind them
>...it just feels right, when you're trying to solve a mystery, you figure
>what would you like to investigate?

school supplies
crumpled note
>opened letter
mysterious cylinder
grey saddlebags

>well, this letter definitely feels the most pressing
>you pull it out of its envelope, looking it over in the process
>no return address, you note, but it's addressed to one Cheers Liqueur
>you suspected as much, but there's no doubting it now
>with a lump in your throat, you unfold it and read through it:

My dearie Cheerie,

Thanks so much for inviting me over the other day! I'm so glad we can still get together for tea, with your busy schedule and mine. (Don't worry about the cup you spilled, it's just Heather tea, I've got plenty still!) Let me know when you'd like to do it again. I've got a brew or two I'd like you to try, but no rush, whenever you're ready.

While I was over though, I couldn't help but notice your garten; don't take it the wrong way, but I do think I spotted a weed or two in there. You'll want to stay on top of that, sis! They can be pernicious little things. If you need some help pulling them, let me know, my offer's always on the table. I have the tools, after all.

Write back soon, sugarflanks!
P. No <3

>hmm
>on the surface this looks pretty innocent, but something about the phrasing feels off to you
>plus, why would you have it if it wasn't important?
>whatever it is, it's obviously not intended for your eyes, and it's way too personal for you to have gotten it by accident
>you remember learning Ms. Cheerilee's legal name from your sister, you think?
>the letter's writer you're less sure of, but they seem familiar with Ms. Cheerilee
>something to check up on later, you suppose
>you put it back in its envelope for the time being...
>what else should you look into?

school supplies
>crumpled note
mysterious cylinder
grey saddlebags

>next, that note...
>you uncrumple it, smoothing out the edges and looking it over on both sides
>on one side, in a scrawl you half-recognize, are the following:

9
2, 3
cider
Smithee

>on the other, you find a drawing you're... pretty sure you must've made yourself?
>or at least, somefilly about your age
>it's a flagon, half-tipped, with a frothy head on the top
>at least, you figure that's what it's supposed to be?
"An artist, they ain't,"
>you mutter under your breath
>this'll probably come in handy later, though right now you can't say for sure what it's supposed to mean
>you have a hunch, but that's all it is at the moment
>so, you've got a letter you probably shouldn't have, and a note about something you almost certainly should have
>you peek your head over the top of the barrels again, your sense of paranoia getting the better of you for a moment
>you spot a pony further down the way, but he seems to be preoccupied with something down another alleyway
>probably nothing to worry about, you reassure yourself
>you're starting to piece some things together, maybe...
>you've got a bit more time, what else would you like to investigate?

school supplies
mysterious cylinder
>grey saddlebags

>well, let's see, you've checked the note and the letter, maybe you've got something substantial in this pack?
>you'd removed all the major items from them, so all you've got in there now should be some small bits and baubles
>a few bits you can probably use to buy a soda or something to snack on
>(they do have an unfamiliar emblem on them, but a quick bite test shows they're at least made of the same metal as the bits you're familiar with)
>an empty bag with some crumbs in it, maybe the remains of your school lunch?
>that seems like it'd be reasonable
>you almost write the whole thing off as a waste of time as you turn the packs upside down and shake
>but faintly, you hear the 'tink-tink' of something small rubbing against something metal
>you turn the left saddlebag completely inside out and peer reeeeeeal close...
>a-ha!
>a tiny clasp for a zipper!
>the way it's fit into the seam, you'd never even notice it if you hadn't been searching for it
>you give it a tug with your teeth, unzipping the hidden compartment
"...Uh oh."
>you look at the small, thin implements, mostly cheap metal with some wooden handles in places to make it easier to grip
>one looks like a tiny sickle, another has a wavy end to it, one's almost straight except for a slight bend at the very tip
>a couple hairpins you don't think have anything to do with keeping your mane out of your eyes
>all cushioned in a bed of cotton, so they don't stick out or make noise rubbing against each other
"Ah'll just, ah..."
>careful not to disturb them, you zip the flap back up, checking the other side for any similar compartments or secret tricks
>you can't find any, but given how well that one was hidden?
>hard to say if that means anything
>you're packing the loose items you'd shaken out back into the packs when you hear the clanging chime of a bell
"Huh, a clock tower? Can't say that rings any bells."
>you give a little half-smile when you realize your own pun, but something distracts you
>six... seven... eight... nine
>nine in the evening then?
>...oh!
>you look around, a sudden anxiousness in your limbs as you start scooping the other items into your bag as well
>9PM! Of course!
>you can't tell too clearly from the strange layout of the town, but is it possible you're near an exit to this neighborhood?
>you hurry as fast as you can and follow the alleyway out to another road, this one a little wider, though not much better lit
>a weathered old street sign informs you you're on Lethe Way
>is that a main street?
>you'll have to hope you're going the right way, as you make a left onto it and follow your hooves and your instinct
>you nearly run right past it, but out of the corner of your eye you spot something familiar
>in yet another narrow alley, so tucked away you wouldn't even think to check it normally
>a hanging sign, with a picture of a mug full of suds!
>perfect, and there appears to be one pony standing at the entrance talking with someone on the other side of the door
>you inch closer, hoping to hear what they're saying...
>"C'mon, man, I'm practically dying of thirst out here!"
>the stallion's voice strikes you as simultaneously whiny and entitled
>"We ain't open yet, son."
>you hear a gruff voice answer back
>"Bullhockey, I just saw that mare go in."
>the unicorn lowers his voice a bit, leaning in to...
>dare you be generous enough to believe he's trying to intimidate the stallion on the other side of the door?
>the gruff-voiced pony talking through the peephole lets out a long-suffering sigh
>"She's a... business associate of the owner."
>he explains in a voice that sounds like it's reaching the end of its patience
>the blonde stallion starts to say something else, but the gruff voice cuts him off
>"Buddy, look. You can't come in. End of story. Now, if you need me to..."
>you hear a 'crk-crk' noise that sounds suspiciously like somepony stretching their forehooves
>"...I can come out there and help you find another bar to drink at. Point you in the right direction. You need me to help you with that?"
>you can practically hear him smirking
>there's a pregnant pause
>"...no. I don't."
>the slender younger stallion finally budges, clearing his throat and looking around to either side of the alley
>you duck back around the corner before he notices you
>"Good."
>and with that, the wooden slat covering the peephole slams shut, leaving the whole door front in darkness once more
>boy, with it sealed up like this, you doubt you'd even have noticed it running by in the hurry you were in before
>"...get to talk to her eventually..."
>you hear the brown-coated unicorn mutter as he walks dejectedly out of the alley
>he doesn't even seem to notice you as he walks past
>eesh... that's kinda sad
>sad but kind of unsettling, too
>you watch him out of the corner of your eye for a few seconds, making sure he really does trot off, before you walk up to the door yourself
>you really hope this is what that note was about, you think as you steel yourself
>'knock-knock'... 'knock-knock-knock'
>"Buddy, I'm gonna be real nice and count all the way to three before--"
>you hear the gruff voice you'd eavesdropped in on from the street start to heat up
>but he cuts himself short as he peeks down out of the slot at you
>just act like you're supposed to be here, you tell yourself
>so you put on your best unamused stare as you look up at him
>he blinks for a second and shakes his head, before giving you a smile you could dare to call fatherly
>"Well hey, kid. You lost or something?"
"Ah dunno, am Ah?"
>you do your best not to betray how nervous you are as you shrug nonchalantly
"If y'all serve cider, Ah'd figure Ah'm in the right place."
>you watch his eyebrows knit together in puzzlement for a second
>wait, that is what the note meant, right? Ask for a cider?
>he clears his throat for a second, and the alleyway glows a little brighter as he steps away from the door for a moment
>but just as soon as he's gone, he's back
>"Well kid, we do serve cider here, but you look old enough to know we can't serve minors. Especially unaccompanied."
>he mulls it over for a second as he regards you coolly
"Well, mah parent's already inside, they came in ahead of me,"
>you tell him with a tone of authority that scares you a little with how well you manage to fake,
"So can Ah at least come in and sit with 'em?"
>the stallion rubs the stubble on his chin with one hoof as he ruminates on that...
>"Tell you what kid, sure. You tell me their name, and I'll go get 'em to come to the door and walk you in."
>...uh-oh
>you hesitate for a split-second and hope this coin-flip lands in your favor
"That'd be Ms. Smithee."
>...
>the stallion raises his eyebrows and then leans back a bit
>"Hey Ms. Smithee, your darling daughter's here at last!"
>he chuckles as the slat closes
>there's a moment of silence where you worry you might've screwed up somehow
>before you hear the clunking and sliding of some latches on one side of the door
>and the large wooden portal swings open just enough for you to squeeze in
>an opportunity that you don't dare refuse, now that you're this deep in
>you trot into the spacious drinking hall, lit by oil lamps suspended from the ceiling as you take in the sight
>there's dozens of ponies here!
>it's a lot bigger than the entrance would have led you to believe, and you trot down a small set of stairs to get to the main floor
>a small number of ponies are sat at the bar, though the majority seem to be grouped up in small clumps around various tables
>you actually spot a couple ponies you recognize in passing, from the yearly cider sales
>the sound of idle chatter from the crowd in front of you and the closing of latches on the door behind you mingle with the lively tune of a player piano in one corner:

[Make Her A Member...]

>the thing that stands out the most, though, has to be some of these ponies' outfits
>most are dressed modestly, but at every few tables there seems to be one pony in a purple hat, or wrapped up in a dark-purple cloak
>one of them, done up completely in the ridiculous outfit, gestures at you when you look their way
>pretending you're braver than you are, you trot casually over to their table, pulling up one of the taller stools to sit down on
>"Well, look who decided to show up!"
>the pony behind the mask has a feminine note to their speech, but you get the impression they're putting on a voice, too
>they seem out-of-place next to the thin stallion who's drinking a small glass of cider in total silence
>and doubly so with Mrs. Cake rather pointedly not meeting your eyes as she chats with the ponies at the next table over
>but the name of the game is to play along, so play along you do
>if she doesn't have anything to say to you, you won't stir up a hornet's nest talking to her
>you give the masked mare a short nod, playing your cards close to the chest
>after all, you're not... totally sure what's going on?
>you've got a good idea of the broad strokes
>"Was worried when you showed up late. But I'm sure there's a good reason, right?"
>it's phrased as a question
>obviously there's only one right answer, though
"'Course, right here."
>you say almost casually, gesturing to your saddlebags but making no effort to retrieve it
>might as well stall to to see if they're going to elaborate on anything useful
>they stare at you for a second, the brim of their hat tipping slightly as they look down to where you nod
>"And you weren't followed at any point? Cleaning up after you isn't one of my favorite things to do."
>they're really being cautious about this, huh
>but... did you screw up at some point before now, doing some other task for this group or something?
>your gut says no, and you're willing to trust that
>oop, you'd better answer fast
"Ah wouldn't've come here if Ah thought I was bein' followed."
>that's common sense
>but you back it up with a second commitment
"And y'all're gonna have to trust me with this sorta thing at some point, right?"
>whatever you were doing
>or ARE doing, you correct yourself
>they must have some level of confidence in you to do it, or somepony else would've been put in charge of it
>you can see the eyes of the mask tighten like they're squinting at you
>but your educated bluff pays off, and they shrug visibly
>"You've got a point; I'm proud of you for taking the initiative on this one. Let's see what you've got, I'll get it all noted down in the records, and we can get you a drink to celebrate!"
>they give you what you figure is a wink, not that the mask does you any favors trying to interpret
>you're allowed to drink?
>that seems kind of irresponsible
>at least, you were never allowed to try any of the cider at the farm, but Applejack was always pretty strict about that
>...you can decide later whether or not to have any
>the pony in the cape and hat trots around the table to you...

What items should you hand over?


>school supplies
crumpled note
opened letter
>mysterious cylinder
>grey saddlebags


>well, you reason, if these aren't your items, in the bottom of that hidden compartment
>(and you really hope they aren't, since you permanently owning a set of lockpicks feels like it'd be the mark of a not-very-good pony)
>hopefully that means they were on loan?
>so you'll go ahead and empty the bag out and hand that over to the masked mare
>you rummage around in it beforehand, though, and find that small cylinder you spotted earlier
>you set the note and letter aside, along with your books and notebooks from school
>you hope they'll give you something to replace the saddlebags with, carrying these around loose would be a pain
>the mystery pony takes the cylinder first, giving it a twist in her hoof to inspect it
>seemingly satisfied with whatever they find, they nod expectantly
>when you give her the saddlebags, she lets out a slight grunt of annoyance, before turning them inside out and unzipping the compartment
>"Could've just gotten them for me. They're picks, not snakes."
>they chide you gently
>but then they clear their throat and raise their voice a bit
>were they not supposed to say anything?
>"Anyway. Reports?"
>you panic a little and flip through one of the notebooks
>it all just looks like math equations at first glance, but you're hoping you'll spot something that looks worthwhile--
>they shake their head and take the entirety of the English and History notebooks off the table for you
>they give you an unamused look as they hold them in their teeth
>at least, you figure it's unamused
>that mask is REALLY hard to read facial expressions through
>"Calm down. Just, give me a minute and I'll be right back."
>they lean in a bit closer
>"And knock off the silly voice, huh?"
>they trot off, and you see them disappear behind the bar into a back room
>...hey wait a minute!
>what does she mean silly voice?
>you open your mouth to say something, but think better of it
>at least partially because without her here, both that slim stallion and Mrs. Cake seem to be eying you up a bit more closely
>they took the lead, you figure, so it's probably not that you were talking shop at the table, right?
>still, it's a little uncomfortable, seeing ponies transparently trying to sneak glances at you when they think you're not looking
>so you kick your hindhooves on the stool anxiously, waiting for the masked pony to come back
>they stop at the bar and beckon the bartender over, pointing to your table and pushing something across to the mustachioed stallion
>oh geez, are they buying you a cider?
>you're not sure you're really okay with that
>but it doesn't look like you'll be getting a say in it
>"So pardon me, child..."
>you hear Mrs. Cake call for your attention, and you look back at her, confused
>"Oh! Sorry, didn't mean to distract you!"
>she waves the idea off casually with one hoof
>"Just, I wanted to give you a little teensie bit of advice, only if you want to hear it of course!"

>...
>this is an important question, you must choo--

>she continues without waiting for you to answer
>"Now, I only say this because I know you're new,"
>she cushions her words carefully as she starts in
>"and I'm sure you've already been told, and all, but to remind you: there's nothing in the rules that says you can't ask for help."
>she gives you a warm smile
>(possibly warmer due to the mug she's been sipping from)
>"I always see you working so diligently, and it's really very impressive! Isn't it, Hubble?"
>she looks over at the stallion, who doesn't meet your eyes as he mumbles out a curt
>"Mm, very 'mpressive."
>"But, just remember, we're all on the same team here. So if you ever need a favor, don't hesitate to ask!"
>you frown a little
>not in confusion, but because it seems like such... vapid advice
"Ah'll keep it in mind?"
>you say, a little non-plussed
>she nods happily, before you notice her sit up and shift her position slightly
>you look behind you at what she must've seen, just in time for--
>"Well hey there, sis. Sorry for the wait."
>your face is buried in a sea of orange as somepony hugs you hard enough to almost pull you off of your chair
>for the first time since you got here (this whole crazy bizarro-world, not just this seedy-feeling bar), your heart soars as you hug her back
"Applejack!"
>she gives you another little squeeze and gets you sat back upright on your stool
>"What, a full day of schoolwork was too long for you? I know I left early this morning, but..."
>she gives a bright little chuckle and pulls up another chair next to you
"Ah just was worried, is all--"
>you start to explain, before realizing
>wait, what if Applejack isn't the same pony as in your world?
>relatively speaking, that is
>you don't like the prospect, but you can't deny it's one that you need to consider
>she certainly seems to still be herself, personality-wise
>but so does Mrs. Cake, from what little you can tell
>so maybe that's not as clear of a tell as you'd like it to be
>but, another part of you argues, you have to trust somepony sometime
>and if your sister's here, she seems like your best bet
>you find it hard to imagine any series of events where you and her wouldn't be fundamentally on the same team
>after all, you're family!
>she shakes her head, looking a little confused, and ruffles your hair with one hoof
>"Well, you had nothing to worry about. You've been doing great so far, and you know I'm not going to get caught flatfooted either. So calm down and have a drink!"
>as she says that, the barpony walks up, four frothy mugs of cider balanced on the tray on his back
>Mrs. Cake and the stallion, Mr. Hubble, take theirs first, and Applejack takes both hers and yours, sliding yours over to you with a smack of her lips
>you look at it a bit warily, but wrap your hoof around the mug along with the rest of the table
>you've tasted cider before, you can probably just sip this--
>"A toast!"
>Mrs. Cake volunteers suddenly, raising her mug into the air
>you hear your sister let out an annoyed sigh, but begrudgingly raise her mug as well
>you and Mr. Hubble follow along, though you're not entirely sure what to expect
>luckily it looks like you'll be getting a demonstration
>"In tradition of the Midnight Crew, I raise a glass of cheer to you..."
>she intones, apparently reciting some saying to start it off
>"To the sweeties and tough cookies who visit my shop! With their patronage, our little gatherings will always be well-stocked."
>everyone claps their hoof on the table, you a tiny bit late on the uptake
>"To th'stars and th'moon. For a night fit for dreaming, which we'll guard from th'daylight."
>Mr. Hubble sounds almost somber as he says his bit
>you wait a second, Applejack noticing your hesitation and jumping in next
>"To the Crew itself. For giving some of us purpose, and all of us protection. They're what keeps everypony safe from the things they shouldn't know."
>she looks over at you with an encouraging grin
>well, it's your turn...
>you're going to have to toast something

>What should you raise a glass to?


To the papers that keep all good ponies informed
To a town that listens closely to what its citizens have to say
>To family, friends, and the ties that bind


>you clear your throat and raise your glass, a little awkwardly since the mug's a bit big for your hoof
>but cheers are for what you appreciate and honor the most, right?
>and living in Ponyville as long as you have, you can't think of anything better to cheer to
"Ta family, ta friends, and to the ties that bind. Who we are and who we'll be is thanks to the ponies what care about us, and who all we care about; nopony better'n them to celebrate!"
>you look around the table and notice mixed reactions
>Mrs. Cake looks absolutely tickled, like she's barely holding in a laugh
>Mr. Hubble on the other hand has a sardonic smile on his face
>he looks down as you glance over at him, avoiding your eyes
>but the one that makes you the most worried is your sister's reaction
>or, maybe more accurately, her lack thereof?
>she meets your gaze with a look of mild confusion, before lowering her glass
>"Well... hear, hear."
>the other two ponies participating tap their mugs on the table in sync, with you a split-second behind
>and you all take a long swig from your respective drinks
>well...
>you try to, but somepony must've picked the apples for this cider out of season or something
>it's for sure the blandest, most watery cider you've ever tasted
>something about it reminds you of stale well water, too
>maybe you're just spoiled, living on the farm
>but all drinking this does for you is to remind you how good you have it back in the other world
>you hear Mrs. Cake let out a satisfied 'ahhhh' as she polishes off her mug
>you use this as an excuse to put yours down too, though you probably haven't even finished a quarter of yours yet
>Applejack lets out a satisfied sigh as she sets hers down as well, starting to push back from the table
>"Y'know, young filly, it's bad form t'joke on your first time. A good one, but not strictly kosher."
>Mr. Hubble comments dryly, looking down into his glass as somepony from the next table over catches Mrs. Cake's attention
"...Er, sorry? Ah'll--"
>"Don't worry, Hubble, we were just going to talk about that. Thanks for being understanding."
>your sister looks over to you and nods her head to follow
>er, are you in trouble?
>you didn't think your toast was THAT bad
>still, you stand up and follow her along one wall as you approach the player piano
>it's surprisingly not much louder here than it is anywhere else in the room, even standing right next to it
>"Apple Bloom... what'n the hay was that?"
>she asks, looking equal parts frustrated and confused
"Er... what was what?"
>"That cockamamie toast! y'all know better'n to bring up family ties, 'specially around these parts,"
>she lowers her voice a bit, like she's worried you'll be outed as some dirty... family-liker or something?
"Ah just said what came to mind! Wasn't like Ah was lookin' ta embarrass anypony..."
>you explain a bit defensively
>"It don't matter whether ya intended it, it still happened!"
>she snaps back, blushing slightly
"Mrs. Cake's was all sappy too, 'n ya didn't drag her over here about it!"
>you feel a faint
B-BUMP
>against your chest as you snap back, feeling a flush rise in your cheeks
>why are YOU getting yelled at about this?
>why are you getting yelled at about THIS?!
>"Mrs. Cake had the good sense to toast ta somethin' valuable! Somethin' important! Ah thought we talked about this!"
>you bite your lip to hold back a meaner retort as you think
"...Fine. Since apparently senpai'ly ain't important enough to appreciate, why don't y'all tell me what Ah shoulda said."
>you sulk
>somepony might consider it a low blow, but you get some vindication at the wince your sister lets out
>"Aw, sugar cube, you know that ain't what Ah meant. It's just, yer article was a huge hit! Y'all heard the splash it made, it was all ponies were talkin' about yesterday... heck, I hear that Cheers mare's practically already got a warrant out fer her arrest. Ah told ya, it's fine to brag on yerself a LITTLE at these things..."
>she tries to console you, brushing your mane soothingly
"Ah did what?"
>you blink for a second as your sister gives you a warm hug
>you did this?
>it's your fault that you and Scootaloo and Sweetie are here, having to help these ponies?
>well, maybe not fully... but it was your article that drew you all here
>you wrote it
>you instinctually know that it's the case, and it turns your stomach that that knowledge is followed with a sick sense of relief, and comfort from your sister's words
"Ah did, didn't Ah."
>"Sure did. Now, c'mon, let's let you finish up that drink, eh? Ah'll strongarm Chiffon into buyin' the next round."
>you can feel your disgust at it bubbling up, the disquieting feeing of your sense of right and wrong at direct odds with what you've done, grating against your own feelings
>why does part of you think that Applejack is right to be proud of you?
>she's not right, and you know it, but agreeing with her just feels so easy
>you nod sullenly, pulling away from her embrace without looking at her
>"And like Ah told ya, mind yer accent 'til we're back home. Y'know it ain't fer mixed company like this little shindig."
>she admonishes you a little, trotting back towards the table you were sitting at
>you can feel yourself starting to move back towards the table almost on auto-pilot
>it takes real effort to dig your heels in and stay planted
>the strain of working against your own body's instinct makes it hard to focus on the color on the edges of the room, but you do it anyway
>this is an important decision
>luckily, it's one you've already made
"Actually, sis, 'fore we go back over."
>you clear your throat and nod at the spot you had been talking to her before
>"Huh? Sure, what's ta say?"
>she steps back beside the piano as you give her a hard stare
"Somethin' Ah wanted ta ask ya. What'd YOU think a' that article?"
>she practically beams at you
>"Ah told ya, it was great! Coudn't'a been any clearer, an' ya backed it up with the truth, is the best part. We're all proud of ya."
>you shake your head slowly
"Not what Ah meant. Ah know it did what it was s'posed ta do, but how'd it make ya feel? Seein' a pony's name dragged through the mud, an' me doin' it?"
>she frowns at you, looking slightly offended
>"What, ya want me ta stand up on a table and get the whole Crew cheerin' yer name? If'n ya want their praise that bad, just brag on yerself."
>she gives you a smug smirk
>"Y'know, the way Ah told ya ya should."
>your frustration is just about boiling over, but you hold it in
>you need to confirm it, not just guess or assume
"No. Ah want ya to look me in the eye, an' tell me yer proud'a me for the way Ah'm actin' right now. That yer proud'a yerself fer this whole business we're doin'. That this ain't just what you think everypony wants, that it's what YOU want."
>you see the grey creeping into your vision as you speak, a dark spot on your sister's back pulsing in a grotesque heartbeat rhythm as it grows
>"That... don't matter."
>her smile is totally gone now, and a grim sort of cold determination replaces it
>"So long as we're part a' the Midnight Crew, we support each other. No matter what."
>and as she speaks, you can hear her words repeated in whispers from other ponies in the room
>the grey is closing in on you now, but it's hard not to welcome it
>you've felt it growing ever since you first met your sister here
>since you first heard her talking like a city pony
>since she showed up in this seedy bar, drinking cider she didn't make and doesn't like, just to fit in
>as the color drains from the world around you, you notice more and more of the ponies in the room turning to look at this argument with your sister
>sunken eyes, bland coats and manes, featureless flanks
"An' if Ah said Ah wasn't as keen on bein' in this li'l Midnight Crew as Ah once was?"
>you square up, the tension in the air mounting
>"Then Ah guess we'll hafta bring ya around to our way a' thinkin'."
>her voice comes out strained through gritted teeth, echoed over and over by the crowd of ponies around her, and the black pustule on her back th-thumps more rapidly
"Your way a' thinkin'.'
>you correct her, squaring up
>"Ours."
>everypony except you in the room speaks as one, the black blob twitching uncomfortably as the grey closes in, now just you and your sister left untouched
"Ah don't care 'bout y'all's opinions!"
>you bark at the rest of the room, glaring around at them
"Ah'll hear mah sister without y'all tryin' to drown her out, and Ah don't care if Ah hafta fight every single one'a y'all barehoofed ta do it!"
>she lets out an undignified snort of anger as you see two, three, four tendrils of black, each tipped with an oblong bulb, rise out of the dark fleshy lump on her back
>"There's no difference between 'me' and 'them'. I think what they think; they think what I think."
>the thing growing off of her intones, its voice amplified by the repetition from the other ponies in the room
>"I... we... are one. And we, are many."
>the tendrils lash out and snap with a sickening wetness against the necks of the ponies nearest by, their bodies writhing unnaturally as they're dragged towards your sister
>and as they're dragged, the tendrils snap further out, grabbing the next
>and the next
>and the next
>the thing in front of you grows, and you can't help but feel a little sick at the sight
>the mottled coats of the ponies that comprise it form splotches of green and red and gold, and they squirm as they're pressed in tight against each other
>'I have to say, that's almost as sad as it is disgusting.'
>you hear a voice from inside your head and yet outside yourself say
>there's a snapping sound and a flash of light as it speaks
>'Neat.'
"It ain't neat, that's mah sister!"
>you growl, the writhing mass of flesh undulating as its shape starts to solidify
>'Well, it's one side of her, yes. But it's not just her, it's quite a big consensus, isn't it?'
>you nod, the orb of bodies seeming to sag a bit at the bottom, a single black tendril popping from the top
>'Tell me, would you like a little help digging her out of there?'
>you feel that B-BUMP against your chest, and you know what it has to be
"Ah could use whatever help Ah c'n get, about now..."
>you admit
>the tendril's tip splits open like a bud, a five-segmented claw with an inset eye looking down at you from atop its apple-shaped shell
>'Well, lucky for you I'm quite talented at exposing people.'
>the voice tells you, and you see out of the corner of your eye a card swirling around your body
>'You'll have to acknowledge me if you want my power, though. Little though you seem to want to.'
>a little uncertainty grips your heart, but you don't have any choice now, it seems, as you spot crackling energy being drawn towards the tendril's eye
"Ah will. Even if Ah hate it, Ah know: you're part'a me. This me, anyhow. So, let's work together!"
>you rear back and smash the card as it circles to your front
"You and me, Pheme!"
>the card breaks, and you feel a gust of wind blow by you
>the black limb's energy fires off in a crackling burst--
>only for it to blast a hole in the wooden floor several feet to your right!
>you see a spectral image of yourself, incinerated by the blast as you cry out in pain, before it fizzles away to nothing
>'Oh, did I lead you astray?'
>you look behind you...
>your persona hangs in midair, a technicolor rainbow of neon lights forming her wings as she holds one hand to the side of her mouth in a conspiratorial pose
>as you stare at the wings, you can see the shapes of countless eyes, lips, and ears, their positions shifting with every beat of her wings
>she brushes her red hair back behind her ear and lets out a laugh you'd swear Diamond Tiara must've been trying to emulate, in her meaner days
>'Better luck next time.'
>she gives you a wink before her neon wings flicker out, her body disappearing shortly after as she recedes back into your mind
>you turn to this... thing, that came from your sister
>it's time to break her out!
HP: Full
SP: Full

[...Of the Midnight Crew]

>this thing looks big...
>but a bigger enemy just means a bigger target, right?
>you zero in immediately on the head of that tendril
>that's got to be the most dangerous part, you figure
>it's what fired that blast of energy at you earlier, and next to the undulating ponies making up its outside, it certainly seems more aware of what's going on
>time to blow it away!
"Pheme, what's the good word?"
>you rear up and smash the card representing your persona, the gold-skinned woman rematerializing at your call
>'Oh, didn't you hear? Let me tell you...'
>she summons a horn in her hand, one that more strongly resembles a piece of Granny Smith's old phonograph than an instrument
>when she blows into it, though, a torrent of whispers swirls out of it, twisting into a lance of wind energy focused in a single shot
>it shoots straight as an arrow for the star-like head of the tendril--
>"hrrrrnnnng!"
>but one of the ponies near the top of the apple-shaped glob rears up, flailing wildly at the prospect of you harming the core!
>the impact causes them to jolt and topple from the ball itself, landing with a wet slap on the ground
>it twitches unnervingly as it rises to its hooves, staggered by the cutting words and resulting fall but by no means out of the fight
>Pheme flickers out of existence with a sour look on her face, reflecting your own irritation with the turn of events
>you see the tendril raise and point towards the sky, lightning crackling around the edges of its petals as it draws in energy...
>that could prove to be a problem
>the shambler on the ground trudges dutifully towards you as you back up a couple steps, thinking carefully about your plan of attack from here
>the lone ponymorph looks pretty frail by comparison, though you're pretty sure it's not closing in on you to give you a hug
HP: Full
SP: Extremely High
>that charging bulb looks like trouble
>it's not very efficient, but you could always heal yourself up afterwards if you were hit...
>no, you don't know how powerful this thing is
>you turn and brace yourself, ready to guard against whatever attacks come your way
>not a moment too soon, either, as the black tentacle goes a bit slack, turning its single eye toward you
>you can see its pupil rotate in place, the iris going jagged as the energy it stored is set loose!
>Pheme appears a split second before impact, holding up a hand as the electricity slams into her palm
>the residual electricity causes her wings to brighten, and you can see scornful looks and sneers in the many eyes and mouths that adorn them
>she disappears after the guard, arms crossed like a petulant filly
>it still hurt, but luckily your preparation lets you shrug off the worst of it--
>THWOK
>you wince as a hoof slaps against your side
>it's not a strong attack, but you were so focused on the lightning blast, it kind of surprised you
"Hey! No touchin'!"
>you scold the zombie-like pony and hop away as they stumble past you, the force of its momentum carrying it into a table before it rights itself
>the slimy appendage poking out of the giant apple hangs limply off the side of its protective orb, some of the shell-ponies pawing weakly at it
>you've managed to avoid the brunt of that thing's attack
>should you burn some energy healing up what little damage they did, or go on the offensive?
>decisions, decisions...
HP: Very High
SP: Full
>that core is dangerous, but with the way its defenders are acting, you think you know just the solution
>if those ponies on the shell are its defense, you can bypass them by not targeting one spot for them to block
>instead, you'll just attack everything!
>you bring your stance wide and smash your card with one hoof, Pheme appearing over your head
"Y'all wanna stand between me an mah sister? Ah'll blow away every one'a ya!"
>the winged goddess holds out her hands wide, the technicolored wings on her back glowing with a faint hum
>you see more lights flicker into existence, until she looks like she's standing in front of a madcap billboard, neon-light wings enormous on her frame
>'Show me every ugly detail of what's hiding under there.'
>she demands, before bringing both her arms and her wings closed at once
>the force behind her wings sends a storm of gold- and green- and red- and purple-colored gusts crashing against the broad side of the floating hive
>you see the pony-shaped masses of flesh grip tightly onto one another, but the outermost ones have nothing to hold onto
>a ripple cascades across the flesh-apple's surface, and you see a group of four more bodies drop from it
>the force also sends the tentacle flailing wildly as it slaps against its outer shell
"All right!"
>you cheer as it convulses in pain
>but although it looks a bit wind-battered, it doesn't appear to have been knocked senseless like you were hoping
>the fleshling that took your first attack manages stumbles and falls flat as it plods towards you, managing to avoid the whole of your assault by pure luck
>and now it's joined by four others
>they jerk themselves to a standing position, seeming eager to follow the first's example
"Ah told y'all, no!"
>you see it lurch at you, but you could see the lunge coming from space, and hop out of the way as it lets out a gurgling "fherahllll..."
>the orb itself seems a bit smaller now, your attack having relieved it of some of its brainless sentinels
>but as you see the tentacle right itself and focus the eye in the center of its claw-like tip on you
>you also notice a second black bulb, previously buried under bodies, that unfurls itself and turns in your direction
>this is getting out of hand...
>now there are two of them?
>and a gaggle of the ponies you knocked loose, too
>luckily the core needed to recover from its previous assault, so you weren't hit with any nasty surprises
>that could change in a second here, though
>so you'd better do something
>but what?
HP: Very High
SP: Very High
>you've got plenty of energy to spare, and these things could be dangerous if you let them pile up
>time to wipe them all out!
>you eye up the grounded, mindless horde and rear up, hoof crashing through your persona's card as you summon her again
"Y'all need t'GIT!"
>you admonish them, Pheme appearing near the ceiling as you do
>'Disappear, you hollow shells!'
>she sneers, crossing her arms as her wings glow up and out
>they beat once, the blast of multicolored wind slamming against the orb of bodies and spreading across the floor
>a few of the sycophants flail and grope wildly, sliding down the orb as its struck
>meanwhile, the wash of gales slams into the shambling group below, the entire group toppling over as they're swept from their feet!
"Gotcha!"
>one is sliced to ribbons and falls apart, the body revealed to be nothing but a suit of skin leaking an oily black liquid
"Again!"
>your eyes glint with excitement as you continue the assault
>'No more from you!'
>Pheme agrees, the illuminated wings popping and crackling as the extra lights that extend them shatter
>the force of each pop showers the field with a rain of glass and lances of wind!
>the follow-up is more slap-dash, successfully knocking the scrambling ponies free of the group as they fall to the ground but missing a few of the weakened ones already on the ground
>still, you've managed to cut their numbers some, you think as two newly shaken-free shamblers stir from where they dropped
>Pheme lets out a mirthless chuckle as she fades, obviously pleased with herself
>the newly uncovered tendril raises and lets out a shrill whining sound, rattling wildly in place
>you see the pair of guards that just dropped lurch unnaturally to their feet, eyes a blank and milky white
>the second tendril closes its claw nearly entirely, jabbing at you as far as it can reach, and suddenly the freshly risen zombies charge at you in a full gallop!
>they spring at you in perfect unison, and while you can jump over the first one's flying tackle, the second catches your back hooves as you land
>you feel it chomp into your back leg, and the fear of turning into a pony that only craves brains makes you blanch
>but other than the momentary limp you have from being chewed on, you don't feel any different...
>that's good, at least!
>the two others your follow-up gust missed finally climb back to their feet
>you don't know what's coming next, but you're chipping away at that thing's shell with these gales
>should you continue with the wind-based attacks?
>or change up your strategy to something new?
>the flow of enemies is going to be hard to stem with area-wide attacks, but it'll take more energy to drop them one by one...
>with that bite, they might have an easier time catching you, too
>what's your plan?
HP: Medium High
SP: A Little Higher than Medium
>amidst the black slime leaking from the hollow ponies' bodies, you spot a pair of green coins
"Wonder what these're for?"
>you ask aloud, taking a spare second to scoop them up
>you'll look at them more closely when you're not fighting, but for now, in your saddlebags they go!

Obtained:
Green Bit x2

>these jerks are going to keep coming?
>you've proven you can deal with that
>you'll tear them apart like a paper plane in a hurricane!
"Outta th'way!"
>you shout, as the crowd of hollow ponies nears in on you
>you stumble slightly as you rear back on your hind legs to summon Pheme once again, barely having faded from her previous attack before you bring her back for an encore
>her eyes glow green as she appears in front of you, gramophone horn pointed like a rifle at the crowd as she braces for the impact
>'Breaking news: bar full of ponies can't take a hint.'
>she pulls the 'trigger' of her imaginary gun, green feathers made of wind energy blasting from the horn like the shards from a blunderbuss
>they pincushion the groaning crowd, the two injured from your previous attacks collapsing and deflating
>the other pair groans dully, their limbs crumpling underneath them, as the remainder of your attack sails over their head and peppers the tendrils and their defenders, another pair dropping to the floor
>'Reloading!'
>Pheme shouts, a mirror of your crystalized determination to knock them all down
>you see her draw a lime-green and electric-blue bulb designed after a peacock's feather from her wing before it disappears in a snap
>she pulls the trigger again, and a hail of feathers splatters the two left up from the first wave, a hail of bodies dropping to the ground
>you spot a third tendril bloom from the area you'd exposed with your repeated attacks
>looks like you've very nearly reached the core, with the walls of the thing's shell sagging from defenders that have gone completely white and lifeless
>a trio are staggering to their feet alongside the two you'd shaken loose with the first blast, distressed cries of "hrrnngghrng" and "fffrhaaaahg" filling the air as the floor of the drinking hall grows slick with the black substance of the many you've broken
>you can feel the ache of that bite fading already, so you're feeling more mobile
>but the three eye-capped stalks are letting out a distressing crackling sound, the air in the room glinting with motes of rising energy
>looks like it's charging up again...
>but now you've got three sources of lightning to contend with!
>not to mention a full regiment of these pony-things...
>what should you do, here?
HP: Medium High
SP: Medium Low
>you grab a pair of the green bits from the floor as you notice them glint
>which is impressive, with everything in the room except you and this amalgamation of ponies frozen in time
>like they wanted to be spotted, almost!
>you toss them into your saddlebags along with the previous two

Obtained:
Green Bit x2

>if one one shot from that thing is enough to hurt as much as it did
>you don't see letting three of them land being anything short of disastrous
>the best thing to do is guard, you figure
>but, looking at the group of shell ponies, you've seen them thrown off easily by the winds you can kick up
>so you stomp into your card with one hoof, bringing Pheme back for another round!
>'I suppose without these pitiful things it'd have nothing else to surround itself,'
>she remarks with a callous indifference, holding a finger to the sky as a whirling orb of wind appears on its tip
"That bein' said, 'tween bad company an' no company, none's the better choice!"
>you agree, as she brings the finger down and around in a whipping motion
>the ball of winds unravels as it arcs out, a series of smaller crescents cutting randomly through the air
>one particularly bright one decapitates a shambler outright, and they cut deep gouges in three more
>you watch as a shower of bodies drop off of the core, most missing the limbs or body integrity to do more than groan in distress
>you see one jerking to its feet, but judging by the smell of ozone and the snapping noises in the air, you're out of time
>you throw up a guard not a second too soon, Pheme doing her best to intercept the crossing arcs of electricity as they triangulate and zero in on you
>you feel them cut across her by sympathetic response, one, two, three surges of energy
>it hurts, yes, but not nearly as much as it could've
>still, you don't think you can stand many more of those, especially if those tentacle things all fire in tandem
>you feel a hot breath on the hoof you're using to guard your face, and backpedal just in time to avoid a chomp from the one mannequin-like pony you missed with your initial sweep
>the ones you'd managed to discombobulate with your preemptive strike are hobbling back to their hooves, and the one fresh from the core you'd knocked loose shambles forward to take the place of his newly-headless predecessor
>you can see a length of black, rope-like flesh exposed among one patch of the rapidly-dwindling shell...
>there can't be that many more, right?
>it feels like you've crushed a town's worth of these things already
>at least the ones on the floor are mostly already weakened...
>what should you do now?
HP: Getting Low
SP: Pretty Low
>you pick up a green coin from the ground, slightly singed from the raw electrical power but otherwise in mint condition
>at this rate you'll be able to buy a hayburger with them!
>...assuming you can find somepony who's willing to take them, anyway

Obtained:
Green Bit

>you don't want to risk letting these things get carried away with themselves
>not right now, with so many of them ready to take a bite out of you
>but you're also feeling run ragged, your head throbbing with all the effort you've expended so far
>can you really keep this up?
>your only option at this point seems to be to try
>you've got to bust through the last of this thing's defenses and get to your sister!
>so you call Pheme back for an encore, her wings glowing a little dimmer than before
"Applejack, Ah know y'all are in there! Now let. Me! IN!!!"
>you shout, your Persona's wings glittering and sputtering as they expand
>you can see the fluorescent bulbs from her back in multicolored letters spell out: ꟼU ИƎꟼO
>as the lip-shaped lights press together in sync and blow out a buffet of winds
>you see many of them solidify into crushing bellows of wind that rain down on the hapless ponymorphs, cracking through the shells of the previously injured and downing the fresh one that survives!
>the few that sail over their heads instead pepper the core, a pair of the corpse-like ponies managing to survive their fall from high up as scores more splatter against the carpet of already broken bodies...
>but never mind them, you spot something more important:
>one more tendril is unwinding itself from the innermost part of the bloated thing you've been fighting
>and as it does, you get a glimpse of a cramped, pitiful cage
>you can see the pony inside curled into a tiny, emaciated ball, eyes glowing with an otherworldly energy from under a brimmed hat as it stares outward
>so buck the rest of this crowd, it's time to go for broke!
>you rush past the incapacitated and the broken, not giving them a chance to do much more than moan incoherently
"There you are... Applejack? Look at me, wouldja?!"
>you headbutt your card as you charge headlong, Pheme appearing and throwing her horn aside as she soars above you
>'Thought you could hide behind them?!'
>Pheme practically spits, soaring straight up with her fist raised as she rockets into the sky
"Not a chance!"
>your Persona's heel shoots out as her wings vanish, dropping towards the cage in a flying kick carrying her full weight and strength!
>she speeds up as she falls, the neon of her wings reconfiguring into a pair of spirals from her back as they drive her down--
>ka-THOOM!
>she makes contact, the gilded metal denting from the force as it ripples through the remaining bodies, throwing them all violently free!
>the cage crunches into the floorboards and embeds, some of the bars splintering outward from the extreme forces acting on it!
>you'd like to hope this fight is about done, but overconfidence is a slow but insidious killer
>so instead, you call Pheme once more, and she leans down to whisper gently in your ear
>'You've got questions for your sister? As you should, now go knock some sense into her and ask them.'
>the reassurance reinvigorates you, and though you're feeling tired, you're sure you've nearly put this thing down once and for all
>you're so distracted by the comfort, though, that you don't notice the tentacle attached to the cage curl around the wounded shambler and hurl it at you
>you try to dodge, but its pinwheeling limbs manage to connect with your flank
"Oww, dangit!"
>you've seen ample proof they're nothing but hollow shells, but they still have enough mass to hurt when they hit you, apparently...
>luckily, the thing cracks with a sickening sound against the greyscale table and doesn't get up, leaving just the two fresh units in your way
>and under all the bulk of its shell, it seems like the core itself is weak to being kicked in the face
>that aside, though, it's the home stretch
>you just need a little more, you're sure...
HP: Low
SP: Extremely Low
>you reach down without looking and feel two bits, one slightly offset from the other
>you drop them into your saddlebags, noticing that while one is that now-familiar green color, the other has a symbol of a hammer on it
>you're pretty sure it has to have a horseshoe to be official Equestrian currency
>but maybe it's still useful?

Obtained:
Green Bit
Hammer Bit

>you've got this thing on the ropes
>you won't let it off that easy, not with the way it's been tormenting your sister
>as the listless shamblers come trudging towards you, you break into a dash
>you hop over one of them, landing squarely on the second's back
>and use it as a springboard to launch for the cage, sailing over the sea of shattered shells!
>one of the tendrils snaps at you in a grabbing motion, but it's far too slow
>you land forehooves first on the cage, breaking it wide open with the impact as you hammer its weakness!
>and inside, you can see a weakened, tired-looking imp in a familiar hat struggling with the controls as it looks over its shoulder at you
>"Wha-- how?! We are so many, you are so few! You're one of us, a member of the Crew! How c--"
"Awwww, SHADDAP!"
>you scream at it, hauling back and decking it across the mouth
>you see its eyes bulge as you make contact, the crackle of electricity that cloud them dissipating at the first sign of pain
>and from behind you, you hear the two bodies of the defenders slump to the floor as well, the pain of your blow echoed sympathetically to them
>you reach down to the dazed creature and shake it awake, still panting heavily from the exhausting fight
"They ain't here now! An' even if they was, Ah couldn' care less 'bout them, an' their puffed-up opinions a'themselves, or any'a that! Y'all owe me an explanation, an' Ah won't hear otherwise!"
>you make your demands, and the shellshocked imp nods along, scared to contradict you
>while this is only an aspect of your sister, it likely has some information you could glean from it
>do you have some questions you'd like it to address?
>you can feel something light shift in your saddlebags, but now's not the time to go rutting around in there for it
>you'll figure out what it is later, probably not important right this second

Obtained:
Hammer Bit x2

"Ah'll start off easy. Why'd ya try'n hide your accent?"
>you sit down on the side of the busted cage, not letting your guard down completely, but pretty confident if this thing tries any funny business that you can put it back in its place
>"It's... aberrant. Different. Not what the group desires."
>the little imp mutters pathetically, pulling the hat over its eyes with a clawed hand
>you let out a snort of irritation
"So? Why care what they've got t'say? Ah've never seen you actin' like this... what in the hay happened to ya?"
>you say that, though as you think on it
>maybe sometimes you have seen your sister get a bit lost in the weeds over other ponies' expectations
>like that family reunion, or that whole business with the Miracle Curative... whatever-it-was
>never to this extent, though, not like this
"It's one thing t'work together, but ta not even put up a fight? When y'know it's wrong?"
>the little imp fixes you with a bewildered stare
>"We help... each other. And anyone who doesn't help us, we hurt. Safety in numbers."
"But that don't make any sense!"
>the tiny creature cocks its head to one side in confusion
"Everypony just cares 'bout themselves, don't they? Mrs. Cake don't give a lick 'bout helpin' me if there's nothin' in it fer her. Neither did Mr. Hubble..."
>it grumbles back somberly
>"Doesn't matter. They're who we have. If we all use each other, none can complain when they are used."
>you bite back the urge to sock this thing again
>what a pitiful excuse for a group to stay together
"So what's that make me, chopped liver?"
>it gives you a grimace as it takes you in
>"You are one to be protected. The last tie I have to my family. You know this, do you not? Why else would I vouch so hard for your inclusion, fight tooth and nail for you to join? No other kin remain."
>that thought makes you go spare for a second
>nopony else... like, not even Granny, or Big Mac? Hayseed? Cousin Brae?
>but as you try to picture their faces, you realize
>thinking about them here, it's hard to fully visualize them
>it's less like you're remembering them, and more like you're imagining what they might look like
>does this "you" really not know them?
>that would make your sister's focus on you joining the group make a bit more sense, you suppose
>but at the same time, the prospect of you being roped into this "for your safety" really chaps your hide
>especially the things you're apparently willing to do to make it happen, going by all the stuff you found yourself carrying when you arrived tonight
"So, y'all really thought that article was well, fine an' good? Somethin' to be proud of? You don't mind me hurtin' good ponies if'n it's for this--"
>"I hate it!"
>the little creature shrieks suddenly, slamming its fists on the empty cage it's sitting on top of
>"Of course I do! I want to tear it up, shred it all! To see how we hurt people, all for nothing but pride in a name! I want them to see it's bad!"
>as it thrashes, you can see its muscles bulge and ripple, the conviction seeming to surge through it in spasms
>but it calms itself, shrinking back to its pitiful form
>"...but if I go against them, they will cast me out. Cast US out. Doomed to weakness. Condemned to vulnerability."
>you think for a moment, looking down at the crumpled metal under its fists
>despite what it thinks, that looks like pretty strong evidence to the contrary
>you rub your hoof on your chin
"But... what'd they even be against?"
>you ask, your brow furrowing in confusion
"What does this whole Midnight Crew, uh... do, 'sides drink an' brag 'bout how influential they all are?"
>the imp starts to answer you with a claw raised
>only to stumble over their words as they think about it
>"Er..."
"Y'all're just lookin' to protect yourselves, ain'tcha? All y'want is to survive."
>it nods slowly, considering your words with heavy import
"Then... ain't y'all kinda wastin' the best thing y'all got goin' for ya?"
>"...?"
>you look out at the piles of weak, hollow bodies surrounding you
>the biggest threat was the one pony that had a drive to actually do something
>imagining how perilous this fight could've been if they'd all been motivated from the start
>but once away from the group, all they could do was trudge weakly forward
>if they'd all attacked you with purpose, you'd have been overwhelmed in a heartbeat
"These ponies yer so scared of kickin' you outta the group... what if y'gave 'em somethin' to work towards? Not jus' some vague purpose, but a goal?"
>you look over at the imp, and give it a smile
>"You think... they would accept that? What if it puts some of them in danger?"
>you roll your eyes and gesture widely at the area around you
"Y'all are already 'in danger', right? Wouldn't be stickin' together like this if'n ya weren't."
>you pat the imp gingerly on the back
"Why not be 'in danger' fer a purpose? An' if ya need some support..."
>Pheme's glowing wings and a faint outline of her form appear in front of the pair of you
"Ah c'n help drum some up."
>you see some strength of conviction come into the imp at your words, its spindly limbs starting to fill out as it ponders the possibility
>after a long pause, it nods slowly
>you see it begin to deflate a little a second later
>"But if I lead them astray--"
"No buts."
>you put your hoof over its chest where you figure its heart would be
"Ah know y'got a good idea of what's right an' what's wrong, if me actin' out gave ya such a conniption. Jus'... don't let me do it again."
>you pat it once, before hopping off the cage and starting to trot towards the door
>it nods in quiet contemplation
>the grey haze that's kept the bar suspended in time seems to be disappearing, the broken bodies shimmering out of existence as ponies in their normal seats start to fade in in their place
"Ah got somethin' to take care of,"
>you explain to the imp as you approach the door to the tavern
"but keep a seat warm for me. Ah'll be back, and when Ah am, we're makin' plans on how t'get everypony on the same page, doin' some good 'round here. Y'hear?"
>you don't wait for the imp's response before sneaking out
>but if their growing stature and strength is any indication, when you come back, you'll have more than just watery cider to talk about



Meanwhile...(?)
>you are Scootaloo
>and let's be honest, you're really not liking where this is going
>you've managed to escape the barracks
>Rainbow Dash seems to be content to let you get out of here and find this... whoever it is you're looking for
>or at least, whatever you did to her put her off her guard long enough for you to escape
>but fighting that thing that came out of her?
>you don't think you can deal with that again
>and ever since you've made it to the main hall of this wing, you've been getting... flashes
>just momentary flickers, but the world will go grey and frozen, like it did when you were fighting Dash
>and then just as quickly, you'll be back in full color, the sounds of crackling torches and the murmur of guards behind closed doors telling you that time's moving forward again
>you have to figure if you find whatever is causing it
>or, as you're beginning to suspect, WHOever is causing it
>you wouldn't be able to avoid fighting again
>so, despite what you told yourself about having to talk to someone sometime
>you've been as sneaky as the circumstances allow
>not to mention, even if you don't have to deal with the source of the flickering
>occasionally as you walk by a closed door, you can hear quiet sobbing
>one time you're pretty sure you heard a muffled scream...
>getting caught here, especially with the reputation this "you" apparently has, according to Dash, seems like
>just a TERRIBLE idea
>you poke your head around a corner, spotting a wider expanse of hallway just past the next little archway landing thing...
>vestibule?
>is that what it's called?
>you weren't paying a lot of attention during the tour of Canterlot Castle that one time
>you'll worry about architectural terminology later, this looks like it might be a way out of this crazy nightmare place!
>maybe you can skirt around whatever's making that flickering grey happen
>oh, horseapples!
>you duck back into your hiding place, the sound of hoofbeats on carpet so subtle you weren't sure at first that they weren't just your imagination
>somepony seems to be trotting in quite a hurry out of here
>hopefully they won't be doing too thorough a patrol, and you can just sneak out after them--
>TH-THUMP
>the world ripples as you flinch under the sudden change
>it only lasts a couple seconds each time, not enough to make a break for it
>but maybe this is a chance to get a peek at what you're up against before it "manifests"?
>you poke your head through the doorway cautiously
>and almost jump out of your skin as a mare with a white coat whips her head around at your hoofstep on the hard stone of the pathway to the barracks!
>it's followed a half-second later by the sound of something breaking, and an imperious-looking figure crafted from steel and fur taking a defensive stance
>you duck instinctively into a ready-to-run stance yourself, weighing your odds between bringing Hraesvelgr Ego to bear or making a... break for...
"...Wait, Sweetie Belle?"
>you shake your head, clearing out the instinctive fear that crept into you without your noticing
>"Scootaloo!"
>Anastasia drops her guard and raises a hand to her chin in contemplation, fading back into the ether as Sweetie's face lights up in relief
>the pair of you run over to each other, hugging one another tightly as you both start talking at once
"Oh thank Celestia, you're okay! I just had to fight Rainbow Dash, and--"
>"Scoots! There you are, I didn't know how to find you or Apple Bloom--"
"--and she was all wrapped up in this, like, weird servant thing, and this dark shadow--"
>"--Rarity was here but she's all confused about who she is, like she didn't even know me--"
"--I think I helped her some but there's this flashing thing going on--"
>"I had to break a part of her out of these chains--"
"--and I don't know what it means but the last time it was somepony in trouble--"
>Sweetie gasps at a sudden epiphany
>"--what if Apple Bloom's in trouble?"
>her question cuts off your own rambling
>oh, that's bad! That's really bad!
>you and her both had to fight somepony, and you managed well enough
>Sweetie looks like she just ran a marathon though, even if she isn't too roughed up physically
>could Bloom be in worse shape?
>you notice that time seems to have stopped since you and Sweetie locked eyes
>maybe that means you have some time to get to your farmpony friend before she gets put in danger?
>but you can't count on that, if both you and Sweetie are able to move freely like this and summon your Personas here
>you feel a palpable ripple run through the space where you two are standing
"We have to find her, A.S.A.P."
>you agree with Belle's implied call to help
>"Absolutely! And... we should get away from here, I think."
>she looks over her shoulder, worried
"Right, we don't know if any other ponies around here could cause trouble for us... Um. Do you know what's up with that flickering thing? You see it too, right?"
>you ask hesitantly
>she nods, trotting away from where she came as she talks
>"There's something burning, back there. Like, a giant plant that caught on fire. I saw it burst into flames just before I had to fight Rarity's shadow, or whatever that was."
>you feel the tension in your jaw tighten as you look back, some unconscious part of you filling up with equal parts fear and anger
"I don't like it."
>you declare flatly, cantering alongside her
>you think back to what Igor told you...
>'You would do well to search for those who are restrained by their own trepidation. If you liberate the from the illusions plaguing them, we may in turn answer their desire to affect change.'
>is that what you were doing with Rainbow Dash?
>you could definitely call her slavish devotion to her own loyalty a 'trepidation' of sorts...
>but somehow you don't think that's quite what he and that Velvet Room attendant meant
>after all, you didn't feel any sort of new ability after you cowed that side of her
>if the way Sweetie's reacting is any indication, you hope you don't have to deal with what's back there
>but even if you do, you need to find Apple Bloom first
>your chances of accomplishing what you're here for go way up with more people working together on it
>and even if they didn't
>there's no way you're leaving your friend stranded in a strange place by herself a second longer than you have to
>as the pair of you make your way out of the entrance hall, you notice the grey beginning to fade, so you step up the pace a bit
>"Hm..."
>Sweetie looks around, obviously thinking about something as you stand on the top of the steps leading down into the town proper
>wow, this really is a sprawling little castle town, huh
>luckily the guards are still frozen in place, and though you can see a black haze drifting from some of them, it doesn't seem to materialize into anything hostile
>still, best to be well clear of the castle before whatever it is that's doing this decides to stop
>"Why did the world do that when we met?"
>she wonders aloud
>y'know, that's a good question, actually
>it was totally the same sensation, but there was no shadow-goo or evil burning plant-room or anything to precipitate it
>you ponder on it for a moment
>you might have an idea...

It's us both being ready to fight something, I think
It's probably some safety thing, from the Velvet Room?
>It's the same reason it happened near RD and Rarity, I bet

"Well... we were both on edge when we found each other,"
>you volunteer, thinking back to it
"Maybe it's like those ninja shows, where our 'killing intent' triggered it, or something like that?"
>Sweetie thinks on it for a second, but seems a little uneasy about the prospect
>"I guess maybe... I didn't really want to fight, though?"
>she admits cautiously
>"I mean, I'll defend myself. I just would rather avoid fighting someone unless we have to, I guess."
>you nod understandingly, trotting a little closer to her
>you brush your wing against her side, something Al always did as an affectionate gesture (although he was always a bit rougher when he did it)
"Well, we won't go looking for any fights, then. Hm... if it's not that..."
>you ponder on it for a bit as you walk
>what did you and Sweetie have in common with each other, that you also had in common with Rainbow Dash, and that she had in common with Rarity?
"When Rainbow Dash cornered me, she had something messing with her head. It was like a Shadow, but different?"
>"Yeah, same with Rarity... there was a black shadow-lady that came out of her when she got super stressed. I don't know if it counts as a Shadow, but I bet it's related."
>Igor's words echo in your mind as you ruminate on it
>'So long as you are a guest of the Velvet Room in this capacity, you shall have the Complex of Ego...'
>but, he gave you something else, too
>a card, that when you touched it, reminded you of your Persona?
>'So long as the world in which you reside lacks a hero able to forge a contract, you will be obliged to stand in their place, with all the rewards and consequences thereof.'
>Sweetie wasn't there, so you explain what the strange man you talked to had said
"Have you ever heard of somepony having a 'complex' before? Like, a thing that messes with how someone normally thinks?"
>you ask
>"Hmm... I think so! Rarity got really mad at a customer once for spreading rumors about Twilight having some kind of complex about her brother."
>you frown a little at the idea of someone badmouthing the Princess, but try to focus on the new info instead
"Well... maybe that's it, then? When I first got the badge part, the person who gave it to me called it a Complex. If what came out of your sister and Rainbow Dash are complexes too, that might be what's happening: when we find a pony with a complex, the world does that weird color-ripple thing."
>Sweetie scratches her chin as she thinks
>"It doesn't sound wrong, I guess... I mean, it doesn't matter what it's called, necessarily, right? Just what it winds up doing?"
>that's a pretty valid point
>so what can you do with it?
>you'll have to run some experiments sometime...
>though, with the way the colors of the world are starting to bleed back in, you're not sure now's the right moment
>it's something to consider though, that maybe summoning your Persona at the same time as someone else can make this sort of thing happen
>food for thought...
>you trot into the main thoroughfare of the town, the wide cobblestone streets branching off at semi-regular intervals
>judging from the signs hanging over the doors on the side streets, you can hazard a guess that this must be the shopping district?
>or at least one of them
>a lot of them seem to be places like jewelry or clothing stores
>you also spot a few places you'd guess would sell food
>there's places you'd guess are taverns and inns...
>it kind of reminds you of some of the pictures of Canterlot you've seen in your history books
>but even discounting that that was more than a hundred years ago
>beyond the walls at the edge of the town, you could see a tree line
>Canterlot's built right into the mountain it rests on, so that's definitely not where you are now
>you duck down one of the side streets as sound begins to fade back in, signaling the end of your little "break" from normal time flow
>you don't know how well-known this "you" is, but the last thing you need is to alert the guards and lead them on a chase around town
>"Hope Apple Bloom's been able to stay safe..."
>you hear Sweetie say more to herself than you
"Don't worry, she's tough, not to mention she's pretty smart about this sort of stuff."
>you say that, but it feels like you're trying to convince yourself almost as much as her
"If we can both do that persona thing, she probably can too, so she's not exactly defenseless."
>you pause near an alleyway, debating whether it's safer to be out in the open or skulking around narrow alleys
>as you mention personas again, something occurs to you
"Wait... Sweetie?"
>your brow furrows in confusion
>"Hmm?"
>she looks in either direction before following you into the alleyway
>you hope you're not being followed, but it's good thinking on her part to check
"When we met, your persona... it wasn't Altair."
>she gives you a nonplussed stare before she realizes
>"...Oh! Wait, yours is the same? Hraesvelgr?"
>she scratches the side of her head as she thinks
"Well, kind of. It's the same, but different somehow. When I tried to call it the first time, there was something really wrong, but then it changed; I called it 'Hraesvelgr Ego', just felt like that's what it was, ya know?"
>you shrug
>you dart through a narrow corridor, but keep an eye on the main street
>you don't even know for sure where you're going, but there's a familiarity to these back roads that you can't shake
>Sweetie, on the other hand, looks entirely lost as she follows you
>"I didn't even really think about it, just, when I needed to defend myself, Anastasia appeared."
>you look back at her to see an expression of discomfort that you aren't expecting
>"Wish it wasn't because Rarity was being controlled like that..."
>you pause to let her catch up, before leaning in closer
"Do you want to talk about it?"
>she closes her eyes and touches her forehead lightly against yours, smiling
>"Not yet... let's find Apple Bloom, first. But, yeah. When we can."
>you smile back, still a little concerned but willing to trust her judgement
>she gives a little nudge, and the two of you get walking again
>but this place is BIG
>even bigger than you gave it credit for, looking down from the castle's steps
>if you wander around these streets just looking for fillies with bows in their hair, you'll probably be here for a while
>any ideas on how to find your friend a little faster...?
>let's see... you could try to send out some kind of signal?
>this definitely counts as a Code Red, immediate emergency meeting status
>maybe you could set off a firework, or get some sort of symbol in the air?
>there's some cloud cover you could project it onto, if you got that going...
"Hmm."
>"Everything okay, Scootaloo?"
>Sweetie asks as you ruffle your own mane in thought
"Oh, just... trying to think if there's a faster way to get Apple Bloom's attention, is all."
>you explain to her, still looking up at the patchwork of clouds
>Sweetie looks up too, and you hear her let out a small "hmmm" as well
>there's a glimmer of a good idea to be had up there, you bet
>...and speaking of glimmers
>you step under a nearby streetlight, the closest you can really get to a lightbulb around here
>sure, it's a candle rather than an electrical bulb, but hey, maybe it'll...
>shed some light on the situation?
>eh? Ehhhhh?
>...no?
>"Any bright ideas?"
>Sweetie asks with a slightly tired-looking smile
>you snicker at the pun and shake your head
"Nah, don't let me sit under here too long or I'll start to wax philosophical."
>Sweetie rolls her eyes, but giggles as well
>"Don't do that, Scoots, or I'll be at my wick's end!"
>the two of you laugh at your dumb puns, some of the tension of the night ebbing away
>you let your thoughts turn away from more lamp-related jokes and think some more
>well, when you got to this world you were in sort of a strange place, but you were nearby Rainbow Dash
>and Belle wasn't THAT far from Rarity
>maybe Bloom wound up somewhere near where her sister was, too?
>on the one hand, if you and Sweetie both had to fight, that might mean she did too
>on the other, it's hard to imagine Applejack NOT having something to do with apples, regardless of what else might've happened
>so, where would you find apples in a town like this?
>you're already in the shopping district, maybe there's some restaurants or a fruit market nearby
>a memory you don't recognize, like some uncanny deja vu, helpfully informs you that most of the fruit stalls and the like are located closer to the city walls
>"What're you thinking?"
>you change directions slightly as you take point again, following a path that leads you further from the main thoroughfare
"Well, if we want to find Apple Bloom, I bet her sister knows where she might be. And..."
>you don't know what to call the strange instinctive memory
"...I guess it's just a hunch? But I think I know the sort of place Applejack would hang out."
>"That makes sense! Even a hunch beats what I've got, this whole place just feels weird to me, and... I don't know, dirty?"
>she tries to put it into words, but you can tell she's not satisfied with how they came out
>maybe she's got the same feelings as you do about this, just from a different perspective...
>you trot in silence for a bit as the fancy, snooty shops start to give way to more utilitarian stores
>blacksmiths, leatherworkers, potionmakers...
>the further you get from the high-class shops, the stronger your sense of familiarity
>you round a corner and come to a wide section of vacant space, even the cobblestones giving way to hoof-worn paths and dirt
>the little lot is ringed on all sides by multi-story buildings with windows looking out over the square
>and as you set foot in the square, you feel a faint
>TH-THUMP
>against your chest
>it causes both you and Sweetie Belle to flinch and look at each other for confirmation, but there's no wash of colorless time-stop yet
>still... does that mean what you think it does?
>could it be reacting to somepony nearby, ready to fight you or with some sort of complex attached to them?
>you might attract a bit of trouble if you call attention to yourselves here
>but it might save you the trouble of searching, too
>or maybe just stand your ground? If you wind up facing something you need your Personas for, it'll be two on one, at least
>Sweetie seems to be eying a narrow spot between two buildings, if you choose the sneaky route, but she gives you a resolute nod
>she doesn't say it out loud, but you read her loud and clear:
>'Crusaders stick together no matter what.'
>what do you plan to do?

Signal; if it's friendly, you'll get their attention, and if not they'll know you're bold enough to do it anyway
Hide; you can always pop out later if they're friendly, and you'll have the element of surprise if you have to fight
>Hold; you might be able to handle things diplomatically in the open, and a little courage can go a long way sometimes

>you know what?
>you've run far enough, you think
>and what were you just telling yourself, about how you're going to have to talk to somepony sometime
>what better time than now?
>so you take a stance that's almost aggressively casual, open but very clearly not shying away
>in almost no time at all, you can hear hooffalls on the stone streets, and you clear your throat a little to let whoever's coming know that you're there
>the steps stop, and you can hear two voices talking in hushed whispers from around the corner
"Um, hello? Anypony there?"
>you ask hesitantly, approaching the path you think they're coming from
>you strain your ears to listen for what they might be saying
>"...ne of yours? I can..."
>"...talk to her. If I need you I'll..."
>you hear one pony trot forward cautiously, a cotton-candy pink mane and purple coat covered by a worn green shawl--
>oh!
"Ms. Cheerilee!"
>you smile excitedly as she shows herself, the mare's tired eyes crinkling up in a smile as she recognizes you
>"Ah, Scootaloo! Now what are you doing out this late, you silly filly?"
>she chides you gently, but it's hard for you to be anything but glad to see a friendly face
>you gesture over your shoulder towards Sweetie, who gives a friendly wave as well
"I'm just, you know, hanging out with my friends..."
>you answer noncommittally
>your homeroom teacher gives Belle a polite nod and even a small bow, as you see the second pony she must've been talking to step out from the side street as well
>"Ah, a new face! Nice to meet you, did you come to Hypnos recently, or...?"
>Ms. Cheerilee asks of Sweetie
>you can see her face start to twist up in surprise, but she recovers quickly and clears her throat
>"Oh, yes, very recently actually, I came to, er... visit family!"
>Sweetie explains, as you back up a bit to stand next to her
>you brush your wing against her side again, subtly, without breaking eye contact with your teacher
>"Ah, well, if you wind up in Scootaloo's class, I look forward to having another new student. And if not, I do hope your time here is a lovely one."
>she says, though something about the tone rings a little hollow
>"Oh, me too! I'm sure it'll be lovely..."
>Sweetie answers back cautiously, doing her best to avoid committing to anything too strongly
"Say, Ms. Cheerilee, you haven't seen Apple Bloom around, have you?"
>you clear your throat, trying to guide the conversation away from questions about your unicorn pal
>at this, the mare behind her steps forward a bit, wrapping her hoof good-naturedly around Cheerilee's neck
>"Apple Bloom, Apple Bloom... oh, is that that one filly? Red bow, kind of quiet? Why, she friends with you?"
>she asks casually, and you nod
"Yeah! Did you see her tonight?"
>Cheers shoots a glare at the other mare, and you hear her say softly
>"Pinot, don't."
>she turns back to you with a look that's more serious than you think you've ever seen on her
>"I can't say we have, no. And between the four of us, I think it's a bit late to be visiting... other ponies."
>she looks up at the skyline, scanning it for a brief second
>"After all, you know curfew is coming up soon, don't you?"
>both you and Sweetie nod slowly
>you have to admit, you're a little distracted
>with your teacher focused on talking to you, Pinot's expression turns absolutely sour, in a way that sends a slight chill up your spine
"W-we'll be home well before then."
>you stammer slightly, but turn your attention back to Ms. Cheerilee, who gives a stoic nod
>"Please do. The guards can be rather strict,"
>she says quietly, giving you a meaningful look and gesturing you a bit closer
>you reluctantly step forward away from Belle as Cheerilee leans down and whispers softly
>"You're sure you... have someplace, tonight? You trust this filly?"
>you feel a wash of heat, a mix between embarrassment and shame, flood through you at what you think she's implying, but you just nod
>"Okay."
>she lets you step back, and you fall back into line with Sweetie, still blushing a bit
>you do your best to keep your face neutral, but going by how her own expression hardens, you probably flubbed the stoic look
>"Er... if we're going to make it in time, we'd better leave now, right Scootaloo?"
>she volunteers
>you nod, not feeling comfortable meeting your teacher's eyes and flatly not wanting to meet this Pinot pony's
>but as they trot past you, headed for another part of the castle town, you hear the mare with the grape cutie mark say over her shoulder
>"Toodle-loo, girls! Don't have too much fun and lose track of time!"
>you take a deep breath to try and calm yourself down, as you and Sweetie Belle slink further into the back alleys...

>"She gives me the creeps..."
>Sweetie waits until the two of you are well and clear of your teacher and her guest before she says anything
>it's rare that Belle has anything mean to say about anypony under normal circumstances
>but she can't help looking over her shoulder to make sure, regardless
>you don't blame her
>personally you couldn't get away from that conversation fast enough, though for very different reasons
>Al was never the most attentive of stallions, but he's not leaving you out in the cold at night!
>worst case scenario, you just call Harry--
>ugh-- wait--
>you frown as you realize you're getting your wires crossed
>if Al's as much of a schmuck here as he is back home, Cheerilee might be right to worry about you not being able to get into the house sometimes
>...it still doesn't sit well with you though, you don't like ponies fretting over you like that
>you're a big mare, you can take care of--
>you jump as you feel Sweetie's head nuzzle against your neck
>"Scoots."
>her tone is calm and sweet, but firm at the same time
>"Talk to me."
>you sigh in irritation
>great, now she's worrying about you too
>the pair of you continue to walk, but you slow your pace a little, trying to gather up your thoughts
"Sorry. Just, Ms. Cheerilee said something about having a place to sleep, and I guess it... bugged me."
>you grumble
>"...Oh..."
>she gives that time to settle as she considers it
"I mean, it's dumb to be upset about it, and I know that. For all I know, Al really is leaving me locked out still, and it's not impossible she could've found out about it."
>you brush it off as casually as you can, turning down another dark alleyway
>the places are starting to get downright grungy now, with the stores and shops turning into tiny two-levels sporting old, rickety signs for food or drink
>"If he's here."
>Sweetie volunteers sadly
"Huh?"
>she thinks for a second before looking you in the eye
>"Rarity said she was still a little filly when she started working in the castle. I thought she was just confused or that they'd done something, but what if she really did?"
>you frown, not fully understanding
>"I woke up in a fancy room in the castle, decorated like I was princess for a day. And I know that before we got here, we were in that dark room. But... I can kind of remember before then, too? I remember getting invited to come to the castle in a letter, and it wasn't Rarity's first time meeting me."
"So...?"
>TH-THUMP
>"So she don't think we just popped outta thin air."
>you suppress a full on scream as somepony trots out on unsteady hooves
>the color trickles out of the narrow street as the pair of you turn to see--
>"Apple Bloom!"
"Apple Bloom!"
>you run over and hug her along with Sweetie, the three of you reunited at last
>it's hard not to notice that she's looking pretty banged up, and more than a little tired
>you look her all over for any glaring injuries, but from the looks of things she's just generally roughed up, with no single critical injury you can even try to take care of
>still, she hugs you back, her face splitting into a huge grin as she giggles happily
>"Oh girls! Ah've been lookin' for ya as quick as Ah could!"
"Same here, oh, thank Celestia! We've been trying to figure out how to get your attention without, y'know, getting everypony else's at the same time..."
>she lets out a sigh of relief, looking behind her in the direction she'd come
>"Looks like Ah made the right call, then, was fixin' t'ask a favor of somepony if'n Ah couldn't find ya soon but Ah wasn't quite lookin' forward to it."
>the three of you let go of each other, reluctantly, as you circle up to talk
>"Oh, we were so worried! Scoots and I wound up way back in the... castle..."
>Sweetie gestures back to where you two had come from
>you turn to look as well, the sensation of being stuck in time becoming more familiar to you
>...!
>the castle rises above the town that surrounds it, the grim and brutal architecture creating an imposing silhouette against the night sky
>but its blackened form isn't what caught your eye
>from near the back of the castle, you can see some of the towers illuminated in orange
>a pillar of gold-and-red fire, whirling in a concentrated tornado, rages wildly as it climbs into the sky, the clouds around it growing black as the tongues of flame lick at them like burning cotton!
>you think you can see a dark outline in the clouds above, but they're so blackened by the fire itself that you can't see much more than an enormous, vague outline
>within the pillar, though, you can see the faint outline of something brighter, a shining figure flickering amidst the fiery hurricane
>it's too far to make out what it could be from here, but judging by how you have to fight the instinct to hide when you look at it
>maybe it's for the best you can't see every minute detail...
>"Y'all came from... there?"
>Apple Bloom asks hesitantly
>"...Don't do nothin' by half-measures, huh?"
>you sputter a little at the implication she's making
"Wh-- no! We didn't do that!"
>you look over at Sweetie for confirmation
"I mean, we didn't, right? That shadow... complex... thing, it breathed fire on me but it didn't freaking explode!"
>she shakes her head, agreeing there's no way you two caused it
>"There was that plant I mentioned, remember? I thought it was just the room that caught on fire, but..."
>the three of you watch for a moment in awe
>"We don't... have to fight whatever's making that, I hope."
>Belle bites her lip, concerned at the idea of going all the way back to deal with it
>"Ah sure ain't in any kinda shape to fight much of anythin', right now..."
>Bloom agrees
>you think back again to what you were told in that space between worlds...
>'This, then, is the 「burden」 which is inextricable from your task.'
>'Once conferred to a resident of that existence, you will be relieved of said burden, and thus able to freely move between realities.'
"If I had to guess? That's why this place needs a hero."
>you say
>"Ah don't envy whoever they wind up bein', that's a pretty tall order..."
>"True, but before we go looking for them, um... could we take a rest real quick?"
>Sweetie asks
>Apple Bloom looks supremely grateful, and you have to agree
>it seems like all three of you need a moment to recover, whether from a grueling fight, a difficult situation, or too many thoughts rattling around your head
>your instincts say there's a small public fountain not too far away
>it's remote enough nopony outside those living in the neighborhood would visit it
>it's also secluded enough that you'll be able to hear anypony approaching and escape well before they can spot you
"I think I know of a place."
>you volunteer, taking point once again
>you trot through the now-silent streets once more, now so deep into the residential district that even the streetlights are few and far between...

>you arrive at the small... park?
>you've never seen a park with no trees, but it has benches and a decorated fountain
>whatever you call it, it has an air of safety to it
>how much of that is the place itself, and how much is your unnamed hunches, you're not sure
>but as the three of you sit down on one of the benches, you marvel at how much running you've been doing lately
>"Whew! Good call, Scootaloo!"
>"Yeah, thanks for taking the lead, Scoots."
"Well, don't thank me just yet, this is just a good place to take a second to breathe. Wish we had something to actually heal us up, but all I've got is..."
>you dig around your saddlebags
>...?
>huh, you were in such a hurry to get to the Apple Family Farm this morning, you didn't even empty the candy out of them
>but y'know, looking at it now, this wouldn't make a bad pick-me-up!
"...actually, maybe a snack would be good right about now?"
>you volunteer, shaking a few pieces out
>"Ooh! Hold on, I have some too!"
>Sweetie volunteers, rifling through her own bags
>you see Apple Bloom go for hers as well, scooping a few strangely-colored coins out of her bag as she does
"Wow, what're those?"
>you point to them, as Bloom looks up from her search
>"Oh, those? Couldn't tell ya, Ah found a bunch of 'em while Ah was fightin' with Applejack."
>she pauses, thinking about it
>"Well, not Applejack 'zactly, but y'all know what Ah mean."
>"Oh, I got a couple too!"
>Sweetie pulls out a few coins of her own, all colored white
>hmm...
"First time I've seen one..."
>you pass Belle your Chuckles Bar and scoot Bloom a couple of the fun-sized pieces like the Mercury Bar and Mega-Snap
>you unwrap a Ms. Greatbar for yourself, the mix of salty peanut and sweet chocolate melding perfectly on your tongue
>the sugar rush and memories of the time you had collecting it...
>you feel a bit more revitalized as you chew!
>but it feels weird to sit here eating in silence, especially now that you're finally all back together again
>between the three of you, maybe you can put your heads together and figure some things out...
>what would you like to discuss?

These weird coins Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom found
Where you all wound up, physically or metaphysically
The citizens of Hypnos, including yourselves
Who and what you're fighting when this time-stop happens
Something else
We're all fine here, now, thank you
>All of the above
>also, whether or not we might've been unintentionally creating heroes with our fights

>you might as well start with the most immediate subject
>you pick up the coins Belle and Bloom had collected, examining one of each
>they look to be made out of pretty standard metal
>Apple Bloom bites one cautiously, testing the hardness
>"Hmm... well, other'n bein' colored different, they seem 'bout normal?"
>she winces a little, rubbing one side of her jaw
>"Well... those ones, maybe, but look at this one."
>Sweetie magics one up for all of you to see
>it had originally been in Apple Bloom's bags, and it has a simplified design meant to resemble a hammer on one side
>"Oh right, Ah noticed that. When Mac left me in charge'a the till at the open-air fair, he told me t'call him if anypony tried to pay with coins what didn't have a horseshoe on 'em. Ah'm guessin' these ain't "real" currency, then?"
>you nod, flipping it over and looking at the back of a white one
"Yeah, you gals said they only showed up when you were fighting, right? They probably don't spend for much here, either, if we can get to them at all outside of this grey world... oh, wait!"
>you lift the coin at just the right angle to catch the light from Sweetie's horn as she levitates the one she's looking at
>sure enough, it's hard to see, but there's some sort of symbol there!
>looks like it's just a little more smooth and polished than the rest of the coin face...
>you've got no idea what it might mean, though, it looks like some crazy combination of circles, loops, and crosses
>still, you show it to your friends, with Sweetie's help especially
>"Huh... well, Ah can safely promise Ah've never seen a mark like that, here or anywhere else."
>Apple Bloom nods sagely
"Er... are we sure? I don't know about you two, but I never bought anything here. It seems unlikely, but I guess they could just have really weird coins in this town?"
>Sweetie seems to agree with you, but Apple Bloom scratches her chin for a second and shakes her head to disagree
>"Nah, when that pony bought drinks for the table, she paid in regular ol' bits. Or, well, close enough to 'em that Ah couldn't see much difference; they were halfway 'cross the room at the time."
>you let out a small 'hmm', but Sweetie's obviously distracted by something
>"Wait, drinks for the table, like, soda and juice, or..."
>you see Apple Bloom's whole face scrunch up at the memory
>"Nuh-uh, it was hard cider. But if you're worried, don't be, Ah didn't have more'n a couple swigs, thankfully. Ah don't think I'm much of a hard cider mare anyhow, an' even if Ah were, this tasted like they made it outta crabapples an' dishwater..."
>she sticks out her tongue in disgust, and you can't help but chuckle
>"And they just let you? Nopony thought that was weird?"
>"Nopony 'sides me, Ah guess. Then again, that whole place was loopier'n a rollercoaster, so Ah couldn't tell ya if that's really the norm."
>she grumbles a little
"Oh, right, this place! We just ran into Ms. Cheerilee and her... sister?"
>you look over at Sweetie for confirmation, who nods hesitantly, taking another bite of the full-size candy bar she's munching on
"And they called this town Hypnos. That was the name in that article, right? So we're for sure in the same place where the article was written, I guess."
>"Yeah! But okay, so hold on then: 'Gabby Gums' was talking about stuff going on here, but where is 'here' in relation to Ponyville?"
>the three of you think for a bit, Apple Bloom pulling out a box of Dweebs and crunching on a few of them idly
"Well... from what I got told, we're helping ponies in some weird what-if, didn't-really-happen world? The folks who told me weren't super clear, but they made it sound like it wasn't just someplace far away. Maybe it's like, if something different had happened in the past, our world would be like this."
>"...Oh! Ah got it!"
>your earth pony friend clops her hooves together, accidentally spilling a couple of the hard candies on the ground in her excitement
>"Mah article was talkin' all 'bout how Ms. Cheerilee was teachin' stuff that was common sense, right? Plants need sun t'grow, an' such? Like it was real controversial."
>Sweetie agrees as you blink at the sudden revelation
>"Well, Ah remember somepony who wanted the night t'last forever, not s'long ago... maybe this is what would'a happened if Princess Twilight hadn't done nothin' to stop Princess Luna when she first came back!"
>you look over at Sweetie to see if she caught it
"What do you mea--"
>"I don't think so... at least, not quite? Apple Bloom, my own sister didn't recognize me. And I don't know if this 'me' recognized her, either."
>she says seriously
>you hold up your hooves in a T-sign
"Whoa, whoa, wait, back up, what do you mean by 'this you'? And what do you mean by 'your article'?"
>you look between your friends, Sweetie offering you a Suc-Pop that you pop in your mouth while you listen
>"Right, sorry, I was trying to explain it before: I think we didn't just drop into this world, Scoots. We jumped into the 'us' who was already here, in the middle of whatever 'we' were doing."
"W-wait... huh?"
>Apple Bloom shakes the last few Dweebs from their cardboard box before throwing it across the stone walkway and into a trash can
>"Shcootsh, schinsh you were dealin' wif-- 'scuse me, since we first showed up here, have you gotten any weird feelings that ya didn't know where they came from?"
>you think about it and pull the lollipop out of your mouth to speak
"Yeah... when I got us here, it was like I knew this place like the back of my hand."
>you feel a dull throb in the base of your skull that reminds you as well
"Oh, right, and when I was fighting Rainbow Dash, that whole thing with my Persona... that sucked."
>you wince, rubbing the back of your head
>when you look up, both of your friends have a concerned look on their faces
>"Persona thing?"
>Sweetie asks
"Yeah, I tried to summon Hraesvelgr when that monster first came out of Dash, and it came out, um."
>you have a brief flash of the twisted, burning hunk of metal lying wounded in front of you
"Less than good. Like, almost-split-my-head-open less than good. I guess it had to change, or something? It turned into Hraesvelgr Ego afterwards, but it was like it was reacting to Rainbow Dash."
>"That's... more'n passin' strange."
>Bloom comments, pursing her lips as she thinks
>"Ah wanna talk 'bout that in a sec, but if what Sweetie'n Ah think is right, 'fore we jumped through that picture, the ponies we are right now were doin' their own things; we c'n remember stuff from them, kind of, though Ah had to play a bit of detective t'figure out what 'Ah' was up to."
>she looks a little embarrassed, but she looks you in the eye as she announces
>"Turns out, Ah was Gabby Gums. This me, anyhow. Ain't proud of it, but that's the truth of it. So.. sorry, on mah own behalf."
>she says slightly awkwardly
"That's... way too wild,"
>you say, still in awe that Bloom and Belle picked up on this so easy
>your head's still kind of spinning from the idea, though it does make a lot of those weird hunches and instincts make sense
"Oh! Um, not that you need to apologize for it, I mean it's not you-you that did it, just... a you?"
>you try to explain
>"Especially since I think this 'you' is more different from our 'you' than you're giving her credit for."
>"Huh?"
>Apple Bloom asks
>"Well, we all met just a few weeks after Princess Twilight and everyone fought Nightmare Moon. But Rarity didn't even know who I was? And this me didn't know her either?"
>she looks at you and Apple Bloom in turn
>"I know it's not fun, digging through our memories, but... do the 'yous' we are right now remember a time when Nightmare Moon wasn't the ruler?"
>you close your eyes and think about it, asking yourself to picture a time before Nightmare Moon was around
>the response you get is... confusion?
>it's like you're asking yourself how much a mile weighs
>what your hunch says is: Nightmare Moon has been the undisputed ruler for forever
>maybe not since time began, but as far back as anyone cares to even imagine, never mind recall
>your eyes snap open, and you look to Bloom to see a similar thought crossing her mind
>"A thousand years."
>Sweetie says it in a breathless voice like she has trouble believing the idea herself, even if she's the one that came up with it
>"I bet there were plenty of castles a thousand years ago, and if Canterlot was Princess Celestia's favorite, I bet this was Princess Luna's."
>"We ain't in a world where Princess Twilight lost..."
"Princess Celestia did."
>holy smokes
>you don't like to imagine how different the world would be if Princess Celestia hadn't been around to keep Equestria safe for all those years
>not that you have to imagine, anymore
>Princess Luna
>no
>Nightmare Moon is the undisputed ruler of Equestria, here?
"Of course the ponies in this timeline need help, getting the courage up to be a hero around here."
>you remark quietly
>"No kiddin'... mah sister 'bout tied herself in knots tryin' t'avoid gettin' on anypony's bad side, an' I bet if'n she did she'd be answerin' ta the Mare in the Moon herself."
>"Rarity gave up her freedom to keep her family safe, including this me. It's not like fighting was an option, to her."
>you nod
>given the alternative, who wouldn't?
>well... you
>this you wouldn't, now would she?
>after all, what family does she need to keep safe? What does she have to lose?
"...no wonder."
>you look up with a newfound grit and determination
"We have to find whoever it is that's going to be the hero around here."
>you stick the lollipop back in your mouth, biting down with a crunch
>...ooh, there's gum at the center!
>"Well sure, but--"
>"Hoooold on a sec, 'fore we let ourselves get all sidetracked, Scoots. Tell us 'bout your Persona."
>you shrug, figuring you're all going to talk about everything anyway
"Right, I mean, when I first got here, I had to fight Rainbow Dash's shadow-thing. Complex?"
>"Sounds good enough for me. Go on?"
"And when I did, I tried to summon my Persona, but like I said, it came out wrong. So I had to, I dunno, choose how I thought of Rainbow Dash? It wasn't super clear, but I picked the Rainbow Dash I know."
>Bloom frowns at that
"Why, what'd you girls choose?"
>"Nothin', that's what's botherin' me. Ah didn't get a choice, Pheme just appeared for me like she'd always been there."
>"Same with Anastasia, it just sort of came from me when I needed help..."
>well that's a little worrying
>you didn't screw something up by choosing wrong, did you?
>you managed just fine against RD's complex, so you don't think so
>but it's bizarre, to be sure
"You don't think I messed up, do you?"
>you ask
>neither of your friends seem to know for sure, but Apple Bloom pats you on the back reassuringly
>"Ah can't imagine so, nah. It's still your Persona, an' it still helped you beat back that complex thing, so it prolly ain't bad."
>"Oh, right!"
>Sweetie Belle unwraps a Fruit-by-the-Meter Rollup, munching on a little bit of the ribbon-like candy as she talks
>"So, I had to fight Rarity's complex. Not very fun. But, um... when I beat her, I kind of took the time to talk to her. It? Her?"
>her too, huh?
"Same, seeing Rainbow Dash act like that just... ugh, I couldn't help it, I had to say something!"
>"Looks like we're three fer three, then, Applejack needed somepony to tell her what she needed to hear."
>Belle takes another bite of fruit strip before continuing
>"Do you think what we said got through to them, at all? Maybe they'll change and become heroes in their own right, or something?"
>you shake your head
"Maybe, but I don't think this Dash would be willing to do anything on her own, even after what I said to her."
>you chew on the gum at the center of your lollipop
>it loses its flavor awfully quick...
"Like I said, I think that's who we have to find. A pony who'd stand up to anyone and do anything they had to, if they weren't dealing with their complex."
>...
>you take a moment to consider:
>is there somepony you believe to be a good candidate for the role of hero?
>a rebellious soul who would be willing to stand against all odds, alone if need be, against the oppression of somepony like Nightmare Moon?

>hmm...
"What about Ms. Cheerilee? She wanted to look after me, even while she's dealing with the whole... y'know."
>you meet Apple Bloom's eyes and she gives you a nod that you interpret as
>'yeah, that's fair'
>"Well, I guess it couldn't hurt to check, right? But we just ran into her; wouldn't her complex have gone all crazy, if she had one?"
>"Not necessarily, Ah was talkin' ta Applejack for a while 'fore hers manifested, so maybe it's only when it affects somepony that it comes out."
>that's true, from what Sweetie's said, it was only when her sister realized they were related that she had to fight
>and as for Rainbow Dash...
>you're pretty sure she was going to fight you no matter what you said, but it wasn't until you argued with her that the armored complex came out of her
>so, maybe you could track her down still, talk to her and try to draw the complex out of her?
>it's certainly an idea
>though, you did have another one
>you doubt Apple Bloom will like it, but it's worth considering nonetheless
>in the play that Princess Twilight helped put on, you saw a certain someone play a pretty heroic role
>it's not like he'd be TOTALLY opposed, right?
"I... did have one other idea, too."
>"Well, lay it on us! Doubt we c'n afford ta be picky right 'bout now."
>"Yeah, anything's worth considering, right?"
>you look at Belle and then at Bloom
"What about... Discord?"
>as you kind of expected, Apple Bloom frowns at the mention of his name
>Sweetie doesn't dismiss it out of turn, though
>"Hm... would he be around here? I guess somepony could have set him free, but things do seem awfully calm to have a draconequus nearby."
>that's a pretty valid point
>"Settin' aside how Ah feel 'bout the idea of askin' him to help... he's a pretty smart, fer bein' crazier'n a soup sandwich. If he was around, Ah doubt he'd just announce himself. That bein' said, though, it is hard picturin' him havin' any hangups about causing chaos."
>that's... very true, too
"What about you, girls? Anypony come to mind?"
>Apple Bloom shakes her head
>"Ah can't think of anypony in town Ah'd name as a 'rebel', an' Ah don't know who all'd even be available to pick from if Ah did. If Nightmare Moon's been 'round a thousand years, who even knows if somepony without family in the area'd be here? Would Twilight? Or Ms. Gilda?"
>Sweetie's eyes squint as she runs through who all might be a good candidate
>"...What about Zecora? She was a traveler before she settled down in the Everfree Forest, so it's possible she'd be around, at least. There's still so much we don't know, this is a tough question..."
>you think for a moment more, blowing a bubble with your gum as the three of you consider your options
>"Well, we got a short list, at least. We could always think 'bout it more while we get on our way to tryin' one of em?"
>Apple Bloom suggests
>she's got a point
>no reason not to multitask, especially since you're still technically in this frozen time bubble thing
>"Who do you think we should try first, then?"
>both Belle and Bloom look to you
"Wait, why am I the leader?"
>Apple Bloom giggles lightly
>"Ah dunno, ya got us to someplace safe, didn't ya? An' you seem t'be comin' up with other good ideas, anyhow."
>"Yeah! Besides, you know the most about what we're doing here. We're still a team, but sometimes it helps to have a leader, and I vote you."
>"Seconded!"
>well
>looks like you get to choose, then
>you have a few leads you can run down...
>which do you want to check first?

track down Cheerilee, the unflinching educator
>try to summon Discord, the embodiment of chaos
search for Zecora, the sage wanderer
suggest someone else

"...Let's try Discord first."
>you give it some careful consideration, but this seems like the right move, right?
>an agent of pure chaos against the iron hoof of somepony like Nightmare Moon?
>you could see it happening
>"If'n ya say so, Ah guess. How should we try an' find him, though?"
>Apple Bloom seems to be committed to helping you out, even though she's obviously not too wild about the old draconequus
"Well, we could try the castle's garden, right?"
>you suggest
"He was on display in that hedge maze when we found him in our world, right?"
>"Well, that is true... maybe Nightmare Moon had him moved here from wherever he got turned into stone?"
>"If she was lookin' t'keep an eye on 'im and add insult ta injury, turnin' 'im into a glorified lawn ornament mighta done the trick."
>you nod in agreement, trotting towards the exit that your instinct tells you leads most directly towards the castle
>"'Fore we go chargin' right at it, Scoots, uh... should we be worried 'bout that?"
>Bloom points up at the tornado of fire rising from the middle of the castle
>oh right
>you bite your lip
>realistically, you and Sweetie have both been inside the castle where that thing must originate, and you didn't draw its attention
>it might be fine, actually
>you look up at it for a few long seconds
"If it was going to do anything, it would've done it by now, I hope?"
>you ask because you're really not sure
>but Sweetie seems to agree with your assessment
>"If it wanted to attack us and could, it's had plenty of opportunity while we were talking. We'll be careful, though."
>you nod, and resume your trot, Belle and Bloom in tow as you sneak towards your destination


-Castle Town Hynos-
-Courtyard Edge-
>you sneak in as quietly as you can
>you're surprised that the bubble of frozen time hasn't stopped yet, given how long it took you to get from the castle to your little campsite initially
>you felt a couple more of those
>TH-THUMP
>sensations as you were running back, but if there was anypony with a complex nearby, they never showed themselves
>maybe you cleared out the big threats, and these are less dangerous things that don't want to fight you?
>you can't be sure
>what you can be sure of is that judging by the wrought iron gate and the sign on its archway, this is the closest thing to a garden you're going to find
>it's labeled as an 'arboretum', but going by the wide paths and sparse clumps of grass and bushes, it counts as a garden?
>and you can see a thick patch of flowers, covering the ground like a carpet
>in this space, it's hard to tell anything about them other than their shape, but they look kind of familiar...
>"Don't look like much of a garden, but..."
>Apple Bloom pushes the gate open with her shoulder, and the three of you step inside
>you wander down the dirt path, the first really soft surface you can remember walking on since you got here
>but while you kind of had your hopes that you'd spot him propped up on a pedestal somewhere or even just tucked into a corner, your chimeric friend is nowhere to be found
>not that you had much ground to cover
>the garden is pitifully small here, and you suspect it's only with some serious work that the flowers and bushes that are here exist at all
>eternal night isn't really conducive to growing things, and from what you remember of the article that first drew you here, there's only a few hours of sun each day to grow food
>still, what a disappointing discovery...
>"Discoooooord!"
>Apple Bloom shouts for him, to no avail
>"Um, we're still in this time-thingy, would he even hear us if we yell?"
>Sweetie asks uncertainly
"Well, it IS Discord."
>you point out
>"Lemme just... Ah had an idea t'try an' get Applejack's attention when Ah was fightin' her complex, but things got a li'l hectic an' Ah never quite got around to it. Maybe if Ah use mah Persona, Ah can get his attention that way?"
"We don't have much to lose, right? If you think he'd notice it..."
>Apple Bloom gives you a shrug, but rears back and smacks her card with a forehoof, the golden goddess of fame appearing above her head
>"Pheme, Ah got a message to get out, y'all mind spreadin' the word?"
>she gives a nod, her red curls bouncing as she rises slowly into the sky
>as she does, her normally resplendent neon wings flicker out in sections, until she's held aloft by a pair of rapidly flickering eye-like symbols
>you see a black microphone extend downwards from the sky, and Apple Bloom takes it in her hoof
>she inhales sharply, and you can hear the sound echoed through her Persona as the golden goddess opens her mouth
>a squealing sound you recognize as feedback chirps in the air as your friend reels back to yell
>...oh buck
>you dive for Sweetie and cover one of her ears with a hoof and one of yours with the other
>"HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY DISCOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORD!!!"
>Apple Bloom screams into the mic, the noise blasting out of Pheme like you're front row at a concert
>you wince at the sheer volume, the sky above Bloom's persona igniting in a huge, Las Pegasus-style billboard representation of the draconequus
>he's bizarrely dressed in a pair of jaunty cowpony boots and a ten-gallon hat with a toothpick hanging from his mouth
>in the wake of her shout, though, you lift your head up and hesitantly listen for a response
>all you can hear is a distant echo of 'ORD-ORd-Ord-ord...!' as the sound ricochets off the taller buildings and echoes back to you
>well, that and a ringing in your uncovered ear
>you sit hopefully for a few more seconds, daring to hope against reason
>...
>"Dang."
>the word echoes out of Pheme's mouth so loud it makes you jump in surprise, even as Sweetie can't help but giggle
>"Sorry gals, was really hopin' that'd work..."
>Apple Bloom sighs in disappointment, letting go of the mic as it retracts back into the ether
"It was a cool idea though!"
>you volunteer
>"Yeah, don't apologize, it just means we'll try something else!"
>"Too true, you can't win them all, Applesnack. No reason to feel bad. Maybe next time?"
>the giant luminescent eagle claw of Pheme's projection pats her consolingly
>...!
>"Discord!"
>"Discord."
"Discord?"
>you all look up at the garish representation of the draconequus, which seems to have taken on a life of its own
>Pheme even looks slightly irritated at it, before her body goes ephemeral and she recedes back into the place Personas go
>"In the flesh! Well, after a fashion. How's things, my fellow Cutie Mark Paladins?"
>he slaps his own flank with his lion paw and reveals a blinking symbol of his own face winking with a thumbs-up as his "cutie mark"
>"Awful! Discord, do you know what's been going on around here?"
>Sweetie asks
>"Up to a point! The past all seems so disconnected these days, and it's hard to find a way to stay up-to-date."
>he floats his body up and around until he's laying on his side, head propped up on one hand
"Then don't you think this place needs a serious shake-up? Like, some major... chaos?"
>you say, grinning a little mischievously
>"Couldn't agree more!"
>he smiles back at you like the cat that ate the canary
>"Then you'll help us?"
>Sweetie asks hopefully
>"Not a chance!"
>...what?
"What?"
>he looks at his unoccupied hand casually, picking at an imagined piece of dirt under his nail, sparks raining down as they click against one another
>"Oh, girls, I appreciate you thinking of me. More than you know, actually! But you see, this whole 'hero' gig is a full-time job of several months, and I'm simply booked solid at the moment."
>he produces a long scroll that he unfurls and reads down with a giant, non-neon pair of reading glasses perched on his nose
>"Let's see, tea with Sir Bearington on the 5th, dinner with Fugo and the Boys on the 8th, sit in on Pinkie's lecture hall class either Wednesday or Friday,"
>he reads his list off rapid-fire
>"...last Sunday of the month I have to lay in bed, stare at the ceiling, and slip slowly into madness, then in July replace Hermit's dice with a loaded set, early August introduce Shining Armor to the zebra delegation... I'm just swamped, girls!"
>he opines
>"So... you can't?"
>Sweetie asks hesitantly
>"I might be available sometime during Act 3, but that's months from now, Diminutive Equines of Mine. So sorry!"
>the way he snaps the list away and sits up with a yawn and a stretch doesn't really sell you on him actually being sorry
>he looks down at the three of you, looking various shades of disappointed or irritated, and rolls his eyes dramatically
>"Oh, don't give me that look. Think how boring Ponyville would be without me!"
>"Er... what? Y'all are stayin' in Ponyville?"
>Discord's neon form leans down to squint at Apple Bloom's eyes
>"Did you hit your head there, Applette? Memory still working? How many fingers am I holding up?"
>he holds up a paw with... way more than 10 fingers on it, you don't bother to count
>"Uhhh..."
"Wait, wait, you're... OUR Disord?"
>you hold up a hoof
>how's that work?
>did he follow you into the portal somehow? Is he a helper in the Velvet Room now, too?
>"I'm not YOUR Discord, I'm my own independent Discord, who of course needs no mare (or stallion, for that matter). That said, if you were expecting a different draconequus, sorry to disappoint, but there's only one me like me!"
>he jabs to himself proudly with his thumb
"Well, we didn't think he'd be completely different, but we thought there'd be... some other you, here?"
>you scratch your head
>"Oh, there was, but he's otherwise occupied. Very busy."
>"Could he just--"
>"No... no I don't think he could."
>something about the tone of his voice tells you you shouldn't pry too deep into that
>"Well... sorry we bothered ya, then?"
>Apple Bloom asks
>this always seems to be how a conversation with Discord goes for you and your friends
>you start with a pretty simple question and end up less sure of anything than when you started
>"Ha! Not at all, I'm quite pleased you thought to ask me in the first place. Some other place, some other time, and I might have been just who you were looking for!"
>there's a faint
>B-BUMP
>as the image of a gargantuan being with hundreds of slithering, whipping... somethings... pulses ever-so-faintly behind him
>"And in yet another time, yet another place... maybe not."
>he gives you a particularly mirthless smirk, before dropping easily into a more friendly demeanor
>"But you know, girls, you came all the way out here just to try and find a little old me, I feel bad sending you away with nothing at all."
>this feels like a setup
>but it's hard to resist the opportunity...
>"Want a little, tiny, teensy bitty hint?"
>he offers
>...
>do you want a hint?

>Yes (reluctantly...)
No

"You'd... do that?"
>you ask, uncertainty plain in your voice
>so of course Discord can't resist cackling at it
>"What, give you a hint? Of course not! It'd throw off the delicate balance of the whole world if I tipped the odds in your favor."
>his luminous form shrinks down considerably, though he still towers over you by comparison
>"Then why ask us?!"
>Apple Bloom snaps impatiently
>Discord tents his fingers in response
>"Because the best way to get you moving forward is to ask you questions, and see how you react, you silly little pony."
>he lets out an indignant sniff
>"No, obviously I can't tell you the right answer to your little question, or that'd remove all the fun of it, right?"
>"Right...?"
>Sweetie Belle seems a bit at a loss, but she's willing to play along with the old amalgamation's game
>"And if I give you a hint and it's too easy, or too hard, then nobody's going to be satisfied by that either, now are they."
"Makes sense."
>it doesn't, really, but you get the impression he's playing at something, so you let him continue
>"So instead I'll gift you this most useless bit of information: an anti-hint, one that will lead you only to the wrong answer!"
>how
>how is that even remotely helpful?
>well, you guess that's entirely his point, but still...
>to what end?
>"So, if you want to find the certain somepony best suited to playing hero around here, you can't narrow it down thusly: 'they are an alicorn.'"
"They are? Wait, I mean they aren't?"
>he dusts his hands off with a final-ish motion, before interlacing his fingers and cracking them in a symphony of snaps
>"I've said what I said! Now, as much as I appreciate you letting me using your Persona as a mouthpiece,"
>he reaches up and rips his own mouth from his face, leaving his jaw featureless and giving a 'come hither' gesture to the open air above Apple Bloom
>"I think I've done more than enough for you girls, here."
>Pheme's arm materializes just enough to snatch the dissociated mouth from his hand before poofing into the ether again
>"But you didn't actually DO anything!"
>Sweetie pleads
>Discord doesn't bother dignifying it with a remark, simply turning and fading into space as the component parts of his neon body flicker out one by one until he's gone
>"Uuuurgh..."
>Bloom's face twists up into a scrunch as she stares at where he used to be
>"Well... I don't know what that was supposed to DO for us, but I guess we know it now?"
>Belle suggests, trying to look at the bright side of things
>you ponder it a second, yourself, not wanting to jump to conclusions even if you kind of agree with Apple Bloom's sentiments more right at the moment
>what could Discord's anti-hint mean?
>do you really get anything out of knowing the potential hero is an alicorn, if that's a guaranteed wrong answer?
>you could always check out some of your other potential leads to give you time to stew on it...

track down Cheerilee, the unflinching educator
>search for Zecora, the sage wanderer
suggest someone else

"It's not a total bust,"
>you say hopefully, looking up past the spinning vortex of flame to the moon behind it
"he might've been trying to imply something else, instead."
>"Ooooor he was tryin' t'mess with us an' make us think 'bout stuff what doesn't matter. Ah wouldn't risk bettin' a rusty bit on either option, personally."
>Apple Bloom answers a touch more cynically
>"If he's only allowed to say something false, and he said we're looking for an alicorn, that means it's not an alicorn, right? But that doesn't really narrow it down much, I only know of five alicorns, and a couple of them might not even exist now."
>Sweetie's still considering it, so you lead the way at a comfortable canter towards the arboretum's entrance
"Well, maybe what he wanted us to focus on was some other part of what he said."
>you wait until Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle are out, before shoving the gate's door closed again
>"So yer sayin' he let on more'n it seemed like he did?"
>"Oh, like one of those logic puzzle things."
>you nod as the three of you head down the stairs that separate the castle from its surrounding buildings
>you glance over you shoulder and see the pillar once more, the bright light in its center a bit more discernable from this close
>it looks... humanoid? And it actually has a kind of unnerving beauty to it, a sort of unearthly perfection
>but at the same time, just gazing at it raises the coat on the back of your neck
>don't worry about that now, you tell yourself
>focus on the task at hand
"So... yeah. Like, maybe narrowing down who it is or isn't based on them being an alicorn isn't the point. He said it wouldn't help finding the 'somepony around here' who's going to be a hero, but maybe it's not the alicorn part he wanted us to focus on?"
>Apple Bloom looks down as she walks for a second, lost in thought
>"...Oh! Like, who cares if they're an alicorn or not, we know it's gotta be a pony? Or that they're 'round here?"
>Sweetie nods
>"Yeah! Or... not one of those things, instead."
>...huh
>so maybe the right person isn't a pony, or isn't 'around here'? That does sort of line up with Sweetie's guess from earlier, actually
>you're pretty sure if you popped Discord's head open, his brain would be shaped like a corkscrew, with how twisted his logic is
"I'm sure it's one of those things that he wants us to look back on later and say 'ohhh, now I get it'."
>you grumble a bit as you head towards the main road, figuring you'll take the most direct route towards the gate
>"Hey Scoots, where are we headed?"
>Sweetie pipes up, and you nod in the direction of the forest
"Well, you did mention Zecora might be a good choice for hero... and it might fit with Discord's hint? She's not an alicorn, she's probably in the Everfree Forest so she's not 'around here', and depending on how literally he was speaking, she's not a pony."
>"Huh. Y'really think so? The way ya lay it out, Ah can almost believe that's what he was tryin' t'hint at."
>Apple Bloom sounds surprised
>"Discord's a bit of a jerk sometimes, but I think he really does want to help us."
>Sweetie's faith in him feels a little naive, but you like to think of it more like...
>he wants to see what you'll do, and the easiest way to introduce his brand of chaos is by giving you more options
>helping you is like a side effect, but he would never go out of his way to actively hurt your chances, either
>"What do you think Zecora's complex is?"
>Sweetie asks as you trot
>you pick up the pace a bit as you notice some of the color fading back into the world
"Honestly? Hard to say; I never would have thought Rainbow Dash of all people would have had a thing about blindly obeying authority, so what we know about Zecora might not really apply."
>"Yeah, no sense worryin' too much 'bout it right now, right? Ah'm sure we'll find out if we talk to 'er long enough."
>you duck into the guard house, slipping around the pony standing at the door as carefully as you can
>luckily you manage to get out of Hypnos' border wall before time resumes again, though you can hear the sounds of birdsong growing less distorted as you make it to a wide bridge over a chasm
>you look over your shoulder to make sure Belle and Bloom are keeping up with you, and get your first view of the town from the outside
>it's imposing and stifling, but there's a sort of comfort to seeing it, like this
>it's even pretty, from a distance
>Sweetie and Apple Bloom look back as well, as the three of you reach the tree line, the tamed hills giving way dramatically to the truly wild foliage of the forest
>you hope you're on the right track here...
>could you get back, if you need to?
>what if this is a bust, and Zecora's not even out here?
>...then you'll just have to deal with that when it happens, you tell yourself bracingly
>you trot towards the largest dirt trail you can spot, hoping that the tamped ground means it's at least somewhat traveled
>the broken branches at its edge imply somepony's passed by recently...
>here goes something, you hope!


-Everfree Forest-
-Dark Woods-

>the Everfree Forest is... downright creepy
>even in your own world, wandering too close to the tree line in Ponyville is something everypony knows to avoid if they can help it
>from the crazy monsters like cragadiles, timberwolves, and cockatrices
>to more natural dangers like poison joke, swamp fever, or plain old sheer cliff faces
>it's not a death trap, but there's plenty to be worried about out here
>let's just say a thousand years of darkness haven't exactly improved the place
"Sweetie?"
>you turn around to check on your friend, spotting her looking up at a particularly large willow
>"Ssssh!"
>Apple Bloom whispers back at you, pointing up at the red, bulb-like fruits hanging off of it
>you furrow your brow in confusion for a second before you notice a couple of them shifting in the wind
>no, not in the wind, they seem to be shaking by themselves--
>"Look like fruit bats, but Ah wouldn' risk it after that patch'a Blast Apples..."
>Bloom whispers
>she has a point
>Zap Apples are already a bit dangerous to cultivate, but the ones you'd found growing wild in the last clearing had apparently been charging for a while, since they exploded violently the moment they hit the ground...
>and the Lightning Sprites (as you'd taken to calling them) had munched through a few of them and fried the nearby grass for a foot in every direction
>with that in mind, you don't want to risk waking up these little guys
>so you trot back as stealthily as you can and nudge Sweetie Belle
>she shakes her head to clear it and looks around, before nodding silently
>the tree and its residents do have a haunting sort of beauty to them, but now's not the time
>luckily, the path so far hasn't been impossible to follow
>well, for you anyhow
>Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle seem to mostly be following your lead, but you're not sure whether that's because you're the 'leader' for the moment
>or because the other you's knowledge is keeping you on the right track
>none of it has that 'deja vu' quality like the places around town, so you don't think so, but it's hard to know for sure
>the trail is getting narrower and harder to keep track of as you venture into the woods, though, and you'll spot places that look like they could be branches in the path
>you had initially wanted to explore a couple of them, but Sweetie brought up a valid point that if the three of you got lost out here, it'd be almost impossible to find your way back
>so you've been sticking to the most obvious path so far
>but you're not sure how much longer that strategy's going to keep working, as the path keeps getting narrower and harder to track
>more than once you've wandered for several panic-inducing minutes through the underbrush before finding the next sign of travel
>you keep hoping that something is going to spark your recognition, and you'll be able to make your way to Zecora's Hut from there
>but the winding trail keeps changing directions, zig-zagging strangely rather than heading towards a destination with any real purpose
>"Ah'm likin' this idea a little less now than Ah was twenty minutes ago..."
>Apple Bloom admits quietly, hopping up on a wide rock to get her hooves out of some swampy water
"Yeah, we can look a little while longer, but if we can't find anypony out here, it's not worth the risks... ugh, I just figured for sure we'd be able to find her faster than this!"
>you balance on a long-dead tree trunk and help Sweetie up after you as you talk
>"Well... it would make sense that she wouldn't want to be found, though, too."
>Sweetie says, giving you a thankful grin for the hoof up
"True. She always did kind of like her privacy."
>"Ah could probably find 'er if we made our way t'Ponyville, 'tween Applejack goin' there and when Ah'd visit?"
>"That assumes Ponyville even exists."
>Sweetie reminds her
"True... the town grew up around the Apples' farm, so maybe some of your distant relatives...?"
>Apple Bloom thinks hard for a second, diving into memories that aren't fully hers
>"This me don't remember any o' that, but Ah can't say fer certain; pretty sure she followed mah sister to Hypnos early on..."
>you and Sweetie hop back off of the rotting old log at the end and rejoin AB on a patch of relatively dry ground, the leaves from nearby trees covering huge swaths of the land under your hooves
>"So. Should we press on? Or turn around and go back?"
>Sweetie looks behind you all at the rapidly dwindling lights of the castle itself
>the chiming of the bell not long after you started in signaled the start of that curfew Ms. Cheerilee had mentioned
>since then, the glow of streetlamps and candles in windows had rapidly diminished, until now the main source of light is the castle itself, its crescent-topped spires glowing dimly
"Well... I really don't want to give up on this lead, but maybe we should cut our losses?"
>you suggest tentatively
>sure, you're leader at least in name, but you don't want to boss your friends around
>"Ah can keep goin' for a bit more if y'all can, but Ah don't know how we're gonna find 'er, 'less we wanna wake up who-knows-what shoutin' for 'er."
>Sweetie and you both shake your head vehemently at that
"Give me a second, I'll try to come up with a plan..."
>you think about what you know so far, as you sit down between the roots of a huge, gnarled black tree
>you have been finding signs of other creatures out here
>at least roughly pony-sized and pony-shaped, unless the horseshoe mark back there was a very clever trick
>but every time you think you've figured out the heading, the trail will get hard to follow again
>Zecora's always been a tender of the forest, as well, and you haven't seen any places where she's cleared out land or cultivated any plants
>you sigh in frustration and look up at the sky, wondering what the right call is
>it's like she really doesn't want... to be... found...
>you get a sinking feeling in your stomach as you piece something together
"...Uh oh."
>you stand up as casually as you can, walking over to the girls so you can speak to them
>"Hey Scoota-- um... what's wrong?"
>Sweetie Belle notices your expression and pulls in tight, Apple Bloom right behind as you huddle up
"I figured out why we can't find Zecora."
>"'Cause we're way outta our element?"
>"Because she's hiding from us in case we're up to no good?"
>you shake your head
"It's because the ponies who made those tracks--"
>there's a shimmer in the air as two unicorns with blue coats appear with a faint 'pop' sound right in your midst
>"Don't appreciate company."
>you feel the adrenaline surge at the sudden teleportation, but it gets immediately overpowered by an irresistible grogginess
>you faintly notice one of them casting something, and see Sweetie go off-balance as well, struggling to stay awake as your legs give out from under you
>"...'m to the Camp..."
>you blink slowly, your eyes losing focus as the magically-induced sleep washes over you
>"...erful can decide wha..."
>you hear Apple Bloom hit the ground, but you're out before you can get the first letter of her name out



>nngh
>you groan as you squint your eyes, trying to focus as you fade back into consciousness
>you become dimly aware of something biting into your shoulder, but it's hard to sort out what's going on
>your head still feels like it's filled with cotton, but you're quickly overcoming it as the after effects of the sleep spell wear off
>!
>you panic for a brief second as you realize you're not on solid ground
>you're not falling though, either, so you take the opportunity to take stock of the situation
>the bite in your shoulder lines up with a small obstruction in your vision, and you realize:
>you're suspended in a net, several feet in the air, in line of sight of a couple unicorn ponies at the edge of a clearing
>you do your best not to make too much noise as you shift
>you don't know whether your captors have plans for you once you're awake, after all
>but you crane your neck as much as you dare to look around
>let's see...
>the embers of a fire glow dimly red, with a few ponies still gathered around it, a large pot suspended over the top of it
>you can see the faint outlines of several patched-up tents, further in the distance
>hanging from another branch you can see a white bundle that you have to imagine is Sweetie Belle wrapped up in a similar net, still asleep (or pretending to be)
>Apple Bloom must be somewhere nearby too, but not in your direct line of sight; maybe around the back of the tree?
>there are also the wooden carts scattered around the makeshift campsite
>they each look specialized in some way, one clearly the main storage for food, another that you suppose carries camp gear, another with several locks that you might guess is for valuables...
>all of them look cobbled together, the roof of one partially covered with a tarp, another with a mismatched wheel that makes it lean slightly in that direction
>what you can't help but notice most, though, are the postures and figures of the few ponies you can see
>sullen, angry, or disinterested, almost to a one they seem terribly unhappy
>the mares and stallions look like they've been run ragged or beaten down, and even the younger ponies seem thin and skittish, like they're constantly on edge

[People Living Without Hope]

>there's at once a sense of quiet desperation and pervasive despair that hangs over the whole place
>you hear a small noise and see a young colt, too young to even have his cutie mark, looking up at you
>looks like the jig is up on your being asleep, but maybe you can ask him for some help?
"Hey... psst, hey, could you--"
>you start to whisper to him, but before you get much further than grabbing his attention, he runs off towards a small gathering of the ponies standing nearby
>your guards, probably?
>this is extremely not good...
>he speaks quietly and quickly, pointing over in your direction with one hoof, and you see the group look in your direction
>there's a faint 'pop' sound as two of them teleport to you
>more unicorns...
>come to think of it, you can only see one or two ponies who aren't unicorns in this little encampment, and no pegasi at all
>a lot of blue and purple coats, too... you've never seen so many ponies that look this similar all in one place
>well, that's not true, at one point Farfalla's children came to visit on Mother's Day
>but that's almost what this feels like, a more close-knit family than even Apple Bloom and her kin
>"Hey, you. You're finally awake."
>the mare who teleported has a peculiar accent, one that you don't think you've ever heard before
>"Sorry, sorry, didn't mean to drop them so hard, don't know my own strength I guess."
>her stallion companion seems positively proud as he "apologizes" to her
>"Wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that they're a bunch of fillies, and only one's a unicorn, eh."
>the mare asks sarcastically, and the stallion sputters as she turns back to you
>"Now then, why don't you tell us your name, child. We've got questions for you, but you're not in trouble."
>the word 'yet' is implied so heavily she might as well have said it outright
>but she does have you ten feet in the air and over a barrel, so you shift a little to try and make yourself as comfortable as you can before answering
"I'm Scootaloo. What's your name?"
>"You can call me Plume. You came from the town of Hypnos, did you not? What were you and your little friends doing out here?"
>you look around as much as you can, no point in trying to be stealthy at this point
>you can just barely see Apple Bloom's form around the trunk of the tree you're all strung up in
>good, she's probably at least as safe as you are, then...
"We're looking for somepony."
>"Oh, I'll bet you were. Too bad they found you 'fore you found them."
>the stallion snarks back, before Plume puts her hoof over his muzzle and pushes him away
>"Lul, don't you have someplace to be? The filly and I are speaking."
>"Feh, fine. Wasting your time though, damn pigeonpony's probably not even worth the parchment. I say dump her."
>you scowl at him as he saunters off, giving you a dark look as he does so
>even in another world, it's not hard to identify a bitter jerk when you see one
>Plume looks like she's considering saying something, but bites her tongue and turns back to focus on you
>"Who, exactly, are you looking for?"
"..."
>you hesitate for a moment
>obviously you don't trust this pony as far as you could throw her
>why potentially give her leverage over you and your friends?
>"Difficult question to answer? Then let's try an easier one. What are your parents' names?"
>you narrow your eyes
>that's none of her damned business, even less so than who you're looking for
"Why? Going to tattle on me for being out past curfew?"
>you curse yourself the second it comes out of your mouth, realizing that while you might not feel too strongly about what happened to your dad, the Scootaloo from this timeline clearly does
>"My parents are Betty Bouffant and her husband Magnum. Ambassadors to Prance. They live in Trottingham, for the record."
>Sweetie Belle says, sounding a little hoarse as she speaks up right on your heels
>Plume's still glowering at you from your comment, but on hearing the word ambassador, her ears perk up and you might as well be invisible
>"...Hm? Are you now... well, if you're lying, she'll find you out... have to bring you to her anyhow..."
>Plume mutters mostly to herself, before giving you a shallow smile that doesn't reach her eyes
>"Would you mind letting us down so we can negotiate, please? I and my escorts."
>Belle asks, struggling to right herself in her net
"Sw--?"
>"I'll explain in a second, Scoots."
>she says, a hard edge to her voice telling you to hold off on saying anything for the moment
>"Escorts, huh?... Sure, we'll have you down in a jiffy. What a smart mare you are, Ms.?"
>"Sweetie Belle. It's spelled with an 'e' at the end."
>she volunteers, earning a chuckle out of the navy-coated unicorn
>"Hah! Good thing you aren't any brighter, or we wouldn't have caught you in the first place!"
>you feel your weight shift suddenly as you and both your friends are lowered to the ground, the rope slipping through a magical cinch that slows your descent
>"Now, since you're so smart, I'm sure you know not to go running off. But keep these two on a short leash, or you might make it back a couple bodyguards lighter than when you came out here."
>the casual way she chirps that out is somehow creepier than if she'd threatened you outright, as she trots towards one of the carts, knocking before slipping inside